I believe this idea was written up many years ago as "Puyans' Law", named after Andre Puyans, they great tier from Calf. He was quoted as saying, "If you find a material you like, buy a lifetime supply, because it won't be available again." Words to live by, and my overstuffed flytying room in the basement is living proof. The other problem, though is materials which remain naturally abundant but fall out of favor. Take duck wing quills. I am hard pressed to believe that there is a world-wide shortage of white ducks, but I'll be darned if I can find decent quills in all the dyed colors for the classic wet flies, which I am a fan of tying. Most of the stuff you get is either too small, too curled, has ragged edges, etc. Maybe if enough people get into these flies again, someone will breed some white ducks for this purpose.Two things I know: they'll cost a bunch, and I'd better buy a lifetime supply, because they won't be around for long.

[This message has been edited by Leighs522 (edited 17 May 2005).]