Do better tying materials make better flys ?

The only places I can get materials that I can look at when buying are the big stores (cabelas, BPS, Sportsmans Warehouse), while back I read a few post about tyers using better grades of materials to make flies with, not that Im good at tying (do well to tie my boots) but am curious.

Where can the better materials be found (at a fair price)

Do they actually make a better fly ?

Is just the OCD in tyers that make us think we NEED better materials and the fish could care less ?

Should I just walk away from this rabbit hole and leave well enuff alone ??

Just ...curious.

IMHO yes, better materials mean better flies. That being said, I'm no pro but I think I can turn out a decent fly or two. I will leave the choices of where to get materials to others that know more. I have found that some stuff I have bought, at bargain prices, is just that - a bargain that is best left to the trash. There are a number of sponsors that sell fly tying materials here on the site and I tend to favor them.
My 4 cents.
Mike

Things like hair and hackle need to be the best, in my opinion. Other stuff, not so much.

For dries, good quality hackle can certainly help keep things on top. You don't need top-of-the-line stuff - with all the advances they've made in breeding birds specifically for tying (and not for table) stuff labeled tyers grade would have been the Holy Grail back in the 70's when I started. Most of my stock would be considered #3 grade and it works just fine (I do have a 1/2 neck Whiting silver label in brown that I pull out once in a while just to see how the upper crust live).

Stuff like ungulate hair, you can get by with just about anything - the more expensive stuff (think Blue Ribbon Flies, and actually their product isn't all that much more) will definitely make for a prettier fly, but even hair with broken tips and a definite curve to it will float.

For dubbing I use a lot of rabbit and it's pretty cheap; except for some of the synths used in salmon/steelhead flies, most of the other furs are inexpensive, as we'll.

Most online flyshops prices will run about the same pricewise; maybe a bargain or two out there (I do like Blue Quill Angler - good inventory and free shipping on orders over $15). Knock on wood, I've had very good luck buying materials on E-Bay at decent prices. Go to the nearest craft store and you'll find plenty of useful items - ostrich, peacock, foam, etc.

Regards,
Scott

I have my favorites as far as materials go. After 30 years of tying quality dry fly capes are extremely a necessity. I also use cdc and I prefer one particular company for it's quality. Some of the main distributors in this country have mediocre materials and you never know what your going to get in feathers and fur. Quality does not necessary mean a higher price.

When you buy natural materials be prepared to look at as many different packages as you can. Hair can vary greatly from one package to the next in texture and length and amount of underfur. A grade three saddle may be mostly sizes 12 and 14 when you tie more 16 and 18 flies or vice versa. Most packages of feathers vary greatly from one to another in quality of their contents as they are sold by weight or number of feathers with little regard for size or curvature etc. Knowing how you plan to use them will let you pick the best one for you though that is made more difficult by sealed packages. To a certain extent the more expensive brands do some of this sorting for you but their idea of the best material for a given fly may not match yours. If you have to mail order them try to do so over the phone and let the supplier know what you are looking for from that material. If you find a seller who will take the time to try to match the product to your needs keep using them.

Yes. But not in the way you suggest. High quality materials makes it easier to tie as they are easier to work with. Having the right materials (suitable elk hair for an ehc wing) will make managing the material easier and result in a nicer fly. Also, high qultiy materials will have different properties for your fly as well. Purchase small amount of high quality stuff and be intentional about buying materials. Just trying to accumulate materials will not help in the end.

Best,

FT

Short answer - YES!

Quality also means matching the materials to the flies you will tie. Many lesser quality and priced materials handle and look better depending on their use. Quality dry fly neck and saddle hackle in almost always makes poor wet fly collars and streamer wings, respectively. Dubbing materials also need to match the type of fly tied, i.e. dubbing with a lot of guard hairs or a wiry synthetic make poor dry flies but good nymphs or streamers. Hairs need to match use. Some materials just look better (to us) and/or handle better, i.e. natural jungle cock, wood duck, etc.

I meant to add something fairly important to your question, "Do better tying materials make better flys?" Better materials make YOU a better fly tier.
Allan

Big thanx guys, just from some of the info yall offered tells me you gents have spent a mountain of time at the vise, I guess wisdom comes with experience.
Again, big thanx.