Kenai River fly fishing guides I know use 1 1/4" pieces of plastic stir sticks. The ends are flared with a lighter or alcohol lamp and they are held in the vise with a ball-head needle heavy enough to nearly fill the tubing.

Bunny (flesh) flies are the mainstay of the fleet and they tie them incredibly fast and in huge volumes. A toothpick is used to pin them to the leader.