Alternate Materials 

I realize that this video came out a couple of years ago but I would like to say how much I loved it. Your experience and explanations of things are so easy to hear, understand. Normally I only watch video's where the narrator sounds interesting and I can understand them. Thank you for this. I just have to Subscribe now.

I remember when i started fly tying money was a real problem so i choose a fly i use a lot of (my go to fly) and bought those materials and every payday or anytime i had some money, i would go buy one or two pieces of fly tying material. This was a great way to stock up on materials without ever feeling like i was breaking the bank!! Now 48 years of fly tying later, i can fill a simi-trailer with my fly tying stuff!! Oh ya, i still need more materials! We will have enough, or ever be satisfied with the materials we have. Because someone somewhere created a fly pattern with materials we do not have!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I've even used dog hair that a neighbor's dog had shed! I worked in tackle shops for over 15 years, but I used to get my materials wherever I found them! I used to buy Aunt Lydia's Rug & Craft yarn by the skein at KMART for less than the cost of a single card at the fly shops. I also used to buy a lot of materials at craft shops.

Thank you Shorty for such a sensible approach to tying.

Shorty enjoyed your video I got the noll fly tying kit for Christmas 1959 tying ever since

I loved your ending! And, peace be also with you!

That's all excellent advice for beginners, who may not want to invest too much before they know for sure they're going to continue with the hobby. But - the background guitar strumming noise does nothing more than distract from the commentary. We don't need mind-numbing elevator sounds. Davie McPhail sets the standard. That all said - thank you for all you're doing to help others.

WoW ... incredibly well done video AND so informative. Thank you. Nick in Redfield Arkansas

Caribou hair floats better than Deer, Elk or Moose(not good)! It is quite hollow! The only disadvantage is Caribou is more brittle so will not hold up as well as the others! However, for a spun deer hair trimmed body such as a bomber, it floats much better than the rest. I hunt and have taken Caribou, so it is readily available to me, as is SnowShoe hare! Thanks for your video and the info!

I haven’t tried a fly in over 30 years. But I’m getting back into that pleasure again! Your video was a great reminder that being creative is far more fun, then sticking to the book. Bugs took out a good portion of my feather stock. So I almost have start over building my supplies up. There’s a lot of new stuff going now. Let the fun begin!

You have opend my eyes to a whole new world and I haven't be tying but for 8 years and I am thrilled to learn more

Kudos on the production value.

Inspired by your “ the only fly box I’ll ever need. I promptly bought two for mr one for my wife and one for my son. Now I need to fill them. As a newbie to tying I am watching your other vids and will soon start on one pattern at a time until all slots are filled. Thank you for the inspiration. Tight lines and God Bless.

There are some amazing fly tyers out there. RU-vid always leads me to them. I ordered my vise yesterday and almost all the tools I need to get started. I am very excited to get started. I am hoping that I can get a good 50 years of tying in before I croak.

I like your outlook, Shorty! Thanks for this refreshing take on materials!

I want to go fishing with you!!!! Amazing videos, some of the best on RU-vid. I learned so much. Thanks for all your time.

You have definitely taken fly tying to another level. Thanks for sharing. Iguana

Great job Shorty . Loving you videos !

Thanks Shorty. Excellent vid..

We enjoyed your fly tying demonstration today at the Trout Unlimited banquet. Thank you for the fly also. Your newest fans, The Deemer family.

Shorty killing it again! Awesome video bro!

Mr Shorty I loved your video and explanations. Thanks

thank you - I love this video - so useful!

Excellent!

Amazing video shorty!!

Great video and great tips. Great to challenge yourself and become more universal.

A couple of months ago I commented videos from Davy McPhail and from Barry Ord Clarke. Both I wrote they are like the "Michelangelo of Flytying"!!! Well Shorty, after seeing about 10-15 of your videos, for me you definitely fit in the same category. Simply one of the best and always an inspiration to try something new. Greetings and tight lines from the Čech Republic 🇨🇿.

Thanks for posting! Yeah, fly tying materials have (like everything else) become expensive and it makes sense to look for alternatives. Way back when (when hooks were $1.25 /100 - that long ago LOL!) I started fly tying most of the materials I used came from what I could hunt or trap. Funny that now, even though I have enough materials to stock a store, I still prefer those basic materials and my most effective flies are tied with natural color fur and feathers. If you or your friends don't hunt or trap ask around at the local sports desk, a lot of guys will be happy to trade for feathers, skins and tails.

Really enjoyed the video, found it very useful thanks

Just found your channel and am very-much enjoying your videos. Well done!

This video is awesome, need more channels like yours

Just found your channel. This is really professional, great video. Keep up the good work you are going places.

Oh man, thanks for doing this video. A newbie here. Pulling my own hair out trying to get started with so many materials to be had, very overwhelming. Your clear, down to earth video is a big help.

Another winner!

Very well said. It’s great that you are introducing ideas for substituting materials as part of a basic series. It wasn’t until I joined a fly tying club after a couple of years on my own that I learned you don’t have to use exactly the same materials called for in an original recipe. Thank you also for mentioning Fran Better’s The Usual, a wonderful fly. If you haven’t done a video on it (just started viewing your videos), it would be great if you could do one.

Great vid Shorty!

Thanks for posting. BRAVO ZULU

Great video keep them coming

You are very precise and organized, a Don Bastian (the wet fly guru) type. Keep on good work, and stay safe.

WTF! GREAT video for a newbie like myself. Hate wasting expensive materials.

This channel is so underrated.

Great information

I have thinking along those lines of what you speak of. Whenever my wife goes to the local craft stores I tag along. I found some wool that looks like material for dubbing or making bodies. I saw a trout take a caterpillar on one outing. May work.

thanks for the info

Just found your channel and am really enjoying the content. Looking forward to more videos!

Nice shorty 👍🇮🇪

100 is enought!

Like to see a description of using different parts of a rabbit foot. I've seen others discuss using different parts for different applications. Color suggestions?

Wow! Incredible 👍

Is there somewhere a website, or a book to help choose alternate materials on the basis of the properties of the different metarials ? such as water resistant versus getting 'wet' etc... ?

I use squirrel whiskers for my tails, I have a friend who hunts them during legal hunting season and he removes all the whiskers for me before he skins them... They are extremely durable...

I'm going to save money by brushing my dogs and cats

Cdc is not expensive nowadays your can buy a bag for 3 dollars

I make my own hackle by butchering roosters