Re: [VFB] Re: SLF Dubbing- now possum

[Chuck Alexander]

I see... Well, I'm starting to think we have had too many run over here as 
Possum and Armadillo both are not as common on the roads as they were just a 
few years ago...They used to be EVERYWHERE, Chuck

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Brettell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 5:39 PM
Subject: Re: [VFB] Re: SLF Dubbing- now possum

No, I think they're the same, just that here in Maryland they aren't
the state animal.  I think in Virginia the squashed possum in the road
is state animal.  My grand dad used to catch one about three weeks
before Thanksgiving and put it in a trash can and feed it table
scraps.  Granny would then roast it (post mortem) stuffed with
persimmons and sweet potatoes.  Grand dad like the head on.  It was a
bit of a shock to see that on the table along with the turkey and ham.
Looked like a real mean rat.

But, to stay on topic, the fur works very well for dubbing and
tailing.  of course the tail hair has to be used on really really
small flies.

Steve,
In Maryland

On 2/9/07, Chuck Alexander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Steve.. You mean there is a difference between Virginny possums and Bama
possums??? Just a different type??? I wonder if they don't tan so well 
cause
they are real greasy, like some ducks.. My Mother In Law used to cook
"possum and sweet potatoes" years ago, and she'd boil them, pour out the
water to get rid of some of that oil/grease/fat... Then, cook them in a
baking pan... Good if your were REAL hungry LOL...That was in FL, and 
they
had a real thin coat of fur, and I didn't tie then, so I don't know how
those would be..I'm gonna pick up the next one I find and see how it does
for rsure.. Chuck

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Brettell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <vfb@troutnet.com>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 5:21 PM
Subject: Re: [VFB] Re: SLF Dubbing- now possum


> I've used Didelphis virginiana, the wiley Virginia (not Alabama)
> opossum, for tying.  It works a lot like grey hares' mask:  good under
> fur and stiff guard hairs, and since squashed on the road is a natural
> death for the little critters, there's plenty of them around.
>
> I just don't have much luck with tanning any of these things, so I
> salt 'em down, and when they get funky, throw 'em away.
>
> They's a good well fed one living under my porch right now; well fed
> out of my trash cans.
>
> Steve,
> In Maryland
>
> On 2/9/07, Chuck Alexander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Don, How does regular ol Alabama possum work??? I  JUST ran across one 
>> a
>> while ago, but My wife had groceries in the car and  wouldn't let me 
>> stop
>> and get it LOL, But I run across them pretty often here,  Chuck
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From:    DonO
>> To: vfb@troutnet.com
>> Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:17    PM
>> Subject: Re: [VFB] Re: SLF Dubbing- now    possum
>>
>>
>> Reuven,
>>
>> I LOVE that Australian possum hide that you sent    Jimi for the swap.
>> It rope-dubbs perfectly, blends great, and stacks    like wool.
>>
>> Those who got the possum strips in Jimi's    material swap have gotta 
>> try
>> it out.
>>
>> I've seen Australian and New Zealand possum    dubbings in bags, but 
>> it's
>> already clipped and blended, so stacking is    out.  Also, when it's
>> pre-blended, one cannot choose a particular portion    of the hide to
>> harvest hair for a particular look in the dubbing.
>>
>>
>> Now I can't wait for the    wombat.
>>
>> Don