I am relatively new to fly fishing and just took up tying. I have quickly branched from using traditional materials, to just about anything that looks interesting.

I used a pair of the soft foam earplugs we use at work, the kind joined with a plastic string to make some flies. The plugs are yellow and fluorescent pink. Excellent for bass and bluegills. I call them earplug bugs. The guys at work think I am a nut.

I have two miniature long-haired dachsunds, one tan and the other black. When my wife brushes out their coats, the fluffy hair balls looked like good dubbing. Works well.

Is this type of improvisation typical?