Uses for American possum

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NightWatchman
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Uses for American possum

Post by NightWatchman » Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:53 pm

I know that Australian possum is a popular dubbing material but does anyone use
American possum fur ? I have a skin and the guard hairs have a nice translucence
to them. Suggestions would be appreciated.
Terrestrial12
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Terrestrial12 » Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:52 am

As much as I hate them and think they are creatures straight from the depths of hell...I actually love American possum skins! I think I'm on my 3rd skin now. As you've noticed they do have a wonderfully translucent quality and you get a wide range of colors from pure white, to grays and browns, to almost blacks. I use the creamy white section spun on primrose silk for sulphur flymphs. I use the gray section mixed with a pinch of black guard hairs and a pinch of white guard hairs for an incredibly natural looking scud dubbing. Paired with a transparent gray scud back and fine black wire you get a scud that is hardly discernable from the real thing. Some sections of the guard hairs are long enough to "hollow tie" and make for a cool minnow pattern. These are just a few off the top of my head, but seriously try out that scud pattern!
NightWatchman
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by NightWatchman » Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:15 am

Thanks Terrestrial12 . Very informative.
Partsman
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Partsman » Thu Jun 23, 2022 4:25 pm

Great info T12, I’ll have to keep a eye out for some a fresh road kill.
Mike.
Terrestrial12
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Terrestrial12 » Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:18 am

That's how I get a lot of my squirrel and fox and stuff...but I can't bring myself to skin one of those nasty bastards. I buy mine cheap from a fur trapper locally here. We're really close to Stetson Hat's main shop so lots of people trap around here for a side hustle
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Ron Eagle Elk
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Ron Eagle Elk » Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:26 am

I use these guys quite a lot for that hard to find stuff.
https://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/7220.html
"A man may smile and bid you hale yet curse you to the devil, but when a good dog wags his tail he is always on the level"
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Roadkill
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Roadkill » Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:17 pm

Thanks for the inspiration...

Pheasant & Possum Flymph
ImagePheasant & Possum #12 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10550
NightWatchman
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by NightWatchman » Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:31 pm

👍
Terrestrial12
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Terrestrial12 » Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:17 am

Very nice roadkill. Now I'm inspired! I'm thinking I need to go home and spin some bodies. The glossy clear/white possum on yellow thread with maybe a pinch of pink fox would make a nice sulphur body
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Roadkill
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Re: Uses for American possum

Post by Roadkill » Fri Jul 01, 2022 10:52 am

Terrestrial12 wrote: Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:17 am ... maybe a pinch of pink ...
:idea: Possum Pink Lady Flymph
viewtopic.php?f=6&p=112511#p112511

ImageRIMG7206 by William Lovelace, on Flickr
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