ccmark
03-23-2006, 03:55 PM
I had heard rumors about imported bird feathers from China being banned due to Avian flu. I was in a fly fishing shop today, that I go to regularly, and brought up this subject. Sure enough, it's true, chinese bird product imports are banned. The fly shop received notices from their material suppliers last fall to expect shortages. Now, you might think to yourself that you'll not be affected because you tie all your flies with Whiting rooster and hen necks, saddles, etc. Well it turns out that Whiting sends most of their harvested pelts to China for processing, and under the ban these products cannot be re-imported. Whiting is going to build up their US infrastructure for processing, but this will take a while. So we can expect shortages and perhaps rising prices. This will, in turn,
effect the supply and prices of flies.
Also, some materials, such as golden and amherst pheasents come almost entirely from China. And, with the expected intoduction of Avian flu into wild bird populations in North America this spring when migrating birds return, we may not be able to get such fly tying staples such as mallard and goose.
effect the supply and prices of flies.
Also, some materials, such as golden and amherst pheasents come almost entirely from China. And, with the expected intoduction of Avian flu into wild bird populations in North America this spring when migrating birds return, we may not be able to get such fly tying staples such as mallard and goose.