Hey it's me again,

I have many books on dove magic now but one thing none of them explains is what kind of material to use for a catgut? Can any of you tell me what the best thing to use is or where to get catgut? Or maybe you can suggest a book or video that does explain it.

Thanks

Thayne

Thayne: you can use fishing line in place of catgut. I personally use wire but that's only my preference.

Thayne,

As David suggested, fishing line is quite standard. The fishing line aisle of a sporting goods store will provide various colors and gauge in black.

However, thin strong black wire allows you to shape the line and remain secured until retrieved.

Something valuable I read from somewhere... use some hair spray on the fishing line and this will help the fishing line to secure it's shape better.

The spray is totally unecessary.
Why bother when you have the right gauge wire?

Well... just some alternatives to explore...

Andy Amyx sells wire for dove production. Looks quite good, check it out.

http://www.andyamyx.com/products.html

You can go to a dealer if you wish, however every hardware store sells small gauge wire. You can buy 25 feet for a buck and that's enough material for about 50 harnesses. You can also use floral wire. This comes in green, however, when exposed to a flame, it turns black. As to hairspray, as Randy pointed out, it isn't necessary. If you need it to be in a special shape, form it and leave it in the sun for a few hours or use a hair dryer. It will retain it's shape. General Grant markets a special gizmo for this purpose called a Dove Looper but you don't have to have one.

Once again guys,


Thanks for all your help, you guys make an intermediate amateur feel good.

Many thanks,
Thayne

Thayne: Every professional was an amateur once and believe me, they asked the same questions.

Randy and Dave,

I've been using fishing line for about 6 years now, but after reading your suggestions to use wire, I thought I'd give this a shot. The wire works much better!
It's 28 gauge black wire and of course can be shaped into position much better than the fishing line. My stealing is much smoother.
Thanks for the advice!

Andrew

I use a combination of fish line and wire. Can't really say which is better. But when used together, feeling for the right loop is a piece of cake.

Cheers,
Alex Tan
Singapore

There are situation where line is better than wire but it all depends on what you are doing and what works best for you.

when using black wire won't the audience see what you are doing, or does it all happen to quick?

Thanks

If you are doing things right, the audience should never see what you are doing regardless of what material you use.