I often use regular paint brush bristles, both natural (hog bristle) and
synthetic (nylon or poly) which come in a variety of colors. The hog bristle
can be nicely colored with a waterproof Pantone pen. They make great quill
bodies and much smoother and nicer than many of the natural quills. They
poly ones make great"fibbetts" and are much less expensive..watch for your
favorite paint brushes to go on sail. A 2 inch one lasts for many dozens of
flies.
I, also, use lots of mohair and lambs wool, alpaca wool when I make my
own dubbings. All are available in many colors at your closest knitting and
handicraft store..check out the Woolease multicolor yarns for great fly
bodies to spin dub on. Finally, I use lots of woolly nylon which makes a
great flat, smooth body when stretched flat on tiny midges, or if spun, a
closely segmented, relatively smooth body..great on mayflies and midges as
well. Comes in lots of colors and is found in the sewing machine embroidery
section of your local sewing store. And while you're there, check out the
wonderful colorful rayon and nylon/poly embroidery threads for ribbing
materials and bodies of flies. Joyce
