Amadou FLY FISHING DRYING PATCHES - Assorted Sizes & Weights (85-4052)

100% Natural Amadou Patches - Horse Hoof Fungus

• Unprocessed.
• Premiuim Quality.
• 100% Au Natural.
• Made from a Sustainable Source.
• Eco-Friendly.
• Soft 'Spongy' Luscious Pieces.
• Ideal for Fly Fisherman. 
• Absorbent.
• Please note this product is not fit for human consumption.
• Each piece varies in size due to being a handmade, natural product.

Amadou is a fantastic form of natural material that nature has provided for us. Normally used for Fire Lighting but in the past has been used for so many things such as the lining of Coats, to packing holes in teeth and we were once told that Scotsman used to wear it under their Kilts, how true that is we don't know but its certainly a very versatile product. These days it is mainly used for either Fire Lighting or for drying out Flies.  Any other items seen in the photos are for display only and are not included in the listing.

It has the perfect properties for being fully absorbent thus its ideal for allowing Fly Fishermen to dry their flies out. One the Amadou Sheets have been used they can be placed in the sunlight or near a radiator to allow the Sheet to dry. Its also eco friendly as it can be used many, many times!  We do recommend however not to leave the Sheets near a naked flame or anywhere where it can catch a spark! When not in use or for storage, we do recommend keeping Amadou in a Freezer as this will prevent small mites getting into the Amadou and nibbling at the fibres.

These sheets are also suitable for drying fishing flies or maybe small craft projects. We do know someone who make small pouches/bags and hats out of Amadou. These Sheets are not processed in any way and it may be that a fellow bushcrafter may want to have a go at processing these Sheets themselves  to make the perfect Tinder. Many years ago the Vikings would soak their Amadou in Urine as they believed it made the Amadou catch a spark better. Other people say that soaking Amadou in wood ash helps too! All we will say is have a go and have fun experimenting! 

What is Amadou?

Amadou is made from the Horse’s Hoof Fungus (Fomes fomentarius), which when processed has a fine, velvety layer resembling suede leather. This suede-like layer, called the 'Trama' layer, is sandwiched between a tough nut-like, outer, layer 'Cuticle' and the 'Pores', which are thousands of tiny tubes all packed together which allow the fungi's microscopic spores to be released. The Horse’s Hoof Fungus, Latin name 'Fomes fomentarius' , is mainly found on dead or dying trees such as the Birch and Beech, and resembles a horse’s hoof – hence its common name. Amadou is very hard to source, and even more difficult to make well. Amadou was used by our ancient forefathers and theirs before them stretching back hundreds, if not thousands of millennia and when processed properly Amadou has a beautiful velvet feel and is as resilient as suede leather which can be stored indefinitely.