Snow Runner and Nayat – a Revolution in the World of Streamers
What exactly is Snow Runner, Nayat, or SR? If you're looking for a clear-cut answer, we've got bad news: there isn't one. But if you truly want to understand why this material works, how it differs from bucktail, craft fur, or others, and ultimately: why Snow Runner is the best material for pike streamers – you're in the right place. This isn't theory or trend. Just tie your first fly with it – or buy a ready-made one – and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.
And what animal is it from? Some things should stay between fly tyers...
Over the years, we've tested most materials available for tying large flies – both natural and synthetic. Bucktail, craft fur, llama, yak, sheep, a whole range of synthetics, and many more. But when we got our hands on the first pieces of what we now call Snow Runner, we immediately felt it was something else. Something that finally lets you build big flies the way it should be done – without fighting the material or compromising. We have to admit though: it took us a while to unlock its full potential. But now, we have no doubt – it's one of the best materials on the market, especially when you consider:
the efficiency / performance / availability / price ratio.
Nayat or Snow Runner? Same thing, different names.
In the West, this material is usually known as Nayat; we use the name Snow Runner – and you'll find both in our shop. I'll use them interchangeably in this article. Either way, it's the same natural fiber with unique properties that have completely changed how streamers are built. It's a natural material that's perfect for big flies. It has a characteristic springiness and light stiffness thanks to its thicker fibers compared to llama or sheep. It doesn't tangle, doesn't felt, and it can take a beating. One fly can handle dozens of pike – and still fish. Top-quality Snow Runner is something between bucktail and synthetic craft fur. It's longer and softer than bucktail, but less slippery and troublesome than most synthetics. It isn't as stiff as bucktail, doesn't twist or tangle like craft fur. And it comes with a list of advantages: it's more durable, faster and easier to tie even the largest patterns with, it's consistently available, and it's impressively efficient. You simply can't build a voluminous streamer from a piece of bucktail as effectively as with a handful of Snow Runner – it would be more expensive, time-consuming, and the end result might not be any better. Craft fur may be cheaper, but you need much more of it, and larger patterns often require structural tricks. Other synthetic fibers, marketed under various names (often derivatives of kanekalon), tend to be too stiff and far less effective in the water than good-quality natural hair.
How to make a 10 cm fly out of 20 cm fiber?
We often hear this question:
- "If Snow Runner is 18, 20, or even more centimeters long, how do you build a 10 cm fly without wasting half the material?"
Here's the trick: on a single hide you'll find fibers with very different characteristics – from long and stiffer, to medium, to the finest, softest, shorter hairs. You can use each of these grades to tie flies of various sizes and purposes, and the best results come when you consciously blend fibers with different properties. This approach takes a bit of prep and sorting, but the results usually exceed expectations. Waste is reduced to nearly zero, the range of fly sizes increases – from a few to over 20 cm – and you end up using much less material per pattern, while producing results that satisfy both the fish and the tyer.
This kind of practical trick is exactly what we teach at our Streamer Workshops – either individually or in groups of up to 4 people – and every year during the Pomeranian Fly Tying Workshops.
Performance in Water and During the Cast
Snow Runner starts working the moment it hits the water. You don't need aggressive retrieves – minimal movement is enough to make the fly pulse. The effect is vivid, alive, and hard to mistake for anything else. But that's not all – its qualities also impact something every fly angler appreciates: ease and precision of casting, even with big flies. A well-tied Snow Runner streamer is light and almost dry after one backcast. In the air, it folds into a bullet shape, without parachuting. This makes it fly farther, more accurately, and eliminates the need for power casting – even against the wind.
Where does that come from?
From the fly's construction, the quality of the hair, and the right amount of material.
The golden rule is simple: less is more. Snow Runner lets you build a large, visually full fly with very little hair. When the material has room to fold, casting becomes a pleasure. But if you overdress the fly, water gets trapped between the fibers and your fly starts acting like a wet towel – it won't fly, and it won't swim.
Which brings us to another key principle I follow: the fly must be hollow inside. This is, of course, inspired by the now-classic Hollow Fleye style by Bob Popovic, but we apply it in a different – much easier and more practical way. Only then does the hair have space to fold, "breathe," and move the way it should in water.
You can achieve this effect most easily by using a ready-to-use dubbing brush made from Snow Runner and flash – a solution we developed in our tying studio over a decade ago, and which has since become a standard for many fly tyers. The brush provides volume, transparency, and spring – without overloading. And great efficiency too: you can get 8–10 large flies from a single pack. But that doesn't mean you must use brushes. For smaller patterns, two or three small clumps of material often work better – giving you more control and precision.
That’s important — Snow Runner isn’t just for the biggest flies. While it’s long been associated with patterns for pike, hucho, taimen, or saltwater predators, it works just as well in smaller streamers — for zander, asp, sea trout, brown trout, or perch. Just look at our Baby Streamers – these slim, compact patterns are true streamers that can trigger strikes from any predator, in any water, and in any conditions. Snow Runner even works for classic salmon flies – and in my fly box, you'll even find highly effective mayfly imitations made from this material.
Without question, it's one of the most versatile materials we've ever worked with.
Good to know:
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Fiber length: minimum 15 cm (usually 17–19 cm, sometimes up to 25 cm)
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Doesn't tangle
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Doesn't felt
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Very durable and efficient
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Pulses with minimal retrieve
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Works for large pike flies and smaller trout, zander, or saltwater streamers
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UV versions are highly visible in deep or murky water
Keep it simple. Do it with Snow Runner!
If you're planning to start tying big pike flies and wondering what to really invest in, the answer is simple:
- A few colors of Snow Runner, matching flash, and a dubbing brush. For the finishing touch – Tab Eyes.
That's it. Nothing more.
With this base, you can tie anything you need: from slim baitfish to a pulsing bulkhead that stirs up any water. No need to collect dozens of zip bags full of materials that end up gathering dust or feeding moths...
Nayat and dubbing brush are the simple, fast path to a fly that not only looks great, but catches fish. With a bit of practice, you'll spin one up in minutes. And their effectiveness doesn't end with fly fishing – they work just as well with spinning gear, paired with a cheburashka or tied directly on a jig hook.
Whether you're after pike, hucho, zander, or heading on a trip for tarpon, GT, peacock bass, or sea bass – Nayat, flash, and brush will do the job. The rest is just bells and whistles.
Everything above comes from real-world experience – not guesswork, unproven theories, or second-hand opinions. If you’re looking for the perfect material for streamers, you’ve just found it. Got questions or need help choosing the right stuff? Hit the chat and drop me a message.
Tight lines,
Tomek – Pike Terror