Berdie Judd
Berdie Judd once wrote: “Most of us walk into a fly shop, craft store, order online and then stuff our materials into plastic bins, drawers and assorted containers. Most of us get by. I have had mice, moths, water, mildew, and hide rot ruin materials I left unattended or inadequately stored. I believe, aside from some obnoxious anal types, that many of us are careless in replacing materials we have used and allowing others to be ravaged. With today’s plastic containers, there is no good reason a fly tier cannot have a moving truck load of materials safely stowed in the garage, the out buildings, the basement, the living room…well you understand.” Here is an older piece that will provide some safe guards for more serious possession and storage of perishable materials. It is enough to make you exercise better care of your materials.
Lost so much stuff to improper storage! Had to get rid of the mess and start over, it stunk, was wet, and had all the makings of a good virus! Storage isn’t easy when the old lady has a tizzy fit and tells you to “take that crap out of here!” After losing so much to degredation and mice, I took her sweaters out of the sweater protector under the bed, and stuck my hackles and capes in it. Put the sweaters in the garage. She never missed them!
Container must be dry or the material will mold. How can you keep condensation from the plastic bag or container unless they are stored indoors at stable temperatures?
could use cedar chips or block like they use for humidors. The cedar would absorb the moisture.
great post topic Gary. I typically utilize the microwave, freezer, borax and mothball tactics. I also keep self harvested materials in sealed ziplocs, stored separate from commercially bought items. One good note is to inspect the materials before purchasing them. I once purchases a highly infested pheasant tail clump from a retailer that I failed to notice until I got home. I learned my lesson, I returned the infested tail and from now on highly inspect and furs or hackle I buy before leaving the store.
It is interesting that the most recent time I brought a harvested material into my garage was a beautiful pheasant cape and I assumed it was cured and ready for storage. Bad assumption on my part. The skin rotted, little critters ensued and I had it in a drawer with other hackles..my, what a mess. Learned my lesson.