..as far as "needing" the bucktail ??.... I don't think it "needs" it....I'm sure some type of rubber on the end will also bring success....Sluggo/FinS/GotStripes Jerky.......although the buck adds a different dimension to it as opposed to rubbers.
...I've also been in the market for a substitute, and FW is probably thinking that I'm forgettin about her....but I'm not!!....
...I was at a craft store this week lookin at feathers...
.....but they didn't have any tar!!!.....