IMO the fly pattern books are already full of examples of substitutions - that's why there are so many patterns, and also why I don't make a fuss about following them too closely any longer. Re. the woolly bugger example above: black wool would work as you say. So would dark green or brown wool or chenille, or black phentex (wrapped or chopped and spun in a dubbing loop), as would any dark fur dubbed (or in a dubbing rope), etc., etc.
When I was younger I was mystified by all the patterns for PED or PMD shown in the books. How would I know which one was RIGHT? Then I realized they are all right, the guy in Maine used bleached rabbit for the body, and the tier in PA used yellow biots, the one in New York wrapped yellow mallard flank and the one with no money just used yellow thread, while someone else used blond hair from his dog, etc., etc. They were just doing their best with what they had (or what they thought worked best) to copy the same bug in time to go fishing. And because fish are both fussy, opportunistic, and programmed yet not too smart, the flies caught fish and thus became popular with fishermen, and someone published an article, or sold some in a well-known shop. The tying ideas/experiments became "PATTERNS"
At one time Hardy had the corner on the materials market and had all the best feathers. Eastern Maritime and Newfoundland fishers couldn't afford any of it, but they had lots of bears – thus the development of hair wing salmon flies - and they work.
Sing along, "You say Flashabou and I say Krystal Flash; you say Sili Legs and I say Bungee Cord; you say Thin Skin and I say Electrician’s Tape – let’s call the whole thing off". Was that Sarah V or Ella F.?
I think any substitution is acceptable if one pays attention to size, proportion, colour, reflective/translucent properties, movement/softness, and so on. If you have a good idea of the bug you are imitating, and are happy with your approximation - the only difference between it and other "Patterns" is yours isn't in a book.
My $.02,, Greg
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