MarkF,
Is this the same trout magnet that you've been using?
http://www.troutmagnet.com/TM_lures.html
If so, what do you think is the real attracting factor to these things? Obviously the color doesn't have much to do with it since you've used multiple colors with good results. Is it the wiggle action they have?

I wonder what kind of "more traditional" materials could be used to create a fly like this...it certainly looks a LOT like a BH Wooly Bugger to me.....