I have a drawer full of "fly shop alternatives" that I have purchased, but seldom use. Time after time I end up reaching for the fly shop version of the product. Here are some examples:
Craft store shredded mylar is about twice as thick as Awsome Hair, or a similar product. It doesn't dub as well, or move as well when used as a tailing or body material. Used as ribbing it doesn't seem to be as strong as the fly shop version of tinsel. It stretches and sometimes breaks when ribbing a body. I've tried making dubbing out of nylon craft yarn, butthe strands are thicker and I just don't like the way it dubs. Glass beads are fine, unless you want very small ones, which I use most often. I have found the smallest sizes only at fly shops. I have never found a metal bead at a craft store that compares with those sold by Spirit River. Chain beads are hollow and don't add much weight. Crimp beads don't have much luster and the holes are too large. If I could discipline myself to tie with only a few colors of chenille, then the craft store variety would work fine... but I am always messing with different color combinations and like getting them from the flyshop. My list goes on. I will always keep looking for bargains in the Craft Stores... it is fun! But I don't think my local flyshop is in danger of losing my visits or business. And... one flyshop woner has met the craftstore challange head on... he stocks all of the craftstore stuff that a fly fisherman might use and sells it at craft store prices.
