Camel hair and underfur are utilized in fly tying for various applications. Camel hair can be twisted into a rope and wrapped around a hook shank to create segmented bodies for nymphs. This technique, known as “the Twisted Camel,” can serve as a template for different fly patterns. Additionally, camel dubbing, a soft and supple material, is ideal for collars, dubbing ropes, and nymph bodies, helping to build bulk and provide support.
Camel underfur is a strong yet soft fiber, perfect for crafting the bodies of wet, dry, and delicate nymph flies. Among the notable patterns, the Camel Midge is a variation of the Zebra Midge that has proven effective in the White and Norfork Rivers in Arkansas. Another pattern, the Camel Light Cranefly, mimics the appearance of a cigarette filter and is particularly effective when craneflies are present, attracting trout eager to feed on these large insects.
Camels, which belong to the genus Camelus, are even-toed ungulates with distinctive fatty deposits called “humps” on their backs. Domesticated for thousands of years, camels provide essential resources such as milk, meat, and textiles from their hair. They are well adapted to desert environments, using their thick coats to insulate against extreme heat. There are three species of camels: the one-humped dromedary, which comprises 94% of the world’s camel population, the two-humped Bactrian camel, making up 6%, and the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel.
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