Yeah, but I don't think it's all that of a secret. I think people just try to push products they like or prefer. A lot of the synthetics (especially the mylars etc...) are the same stuff except they are cut slightly different or blended slightly different. Also, this is not a unique phenomenom to fly tying.... a lot of different hobbies/industries do the same thing, it's how they make money.... I remember when I paintballed a lot.... you could by a tank cap (to protect the threads) for your C02 bottles.... stores sold them for $5. You could get a 1/2" pvc threaded cap for $0.25 at the hardware store. The only difference usually was they painted the ones at the paintball store black......