The only fly-shop I have nearby is a BPS. They ain?t cheap. I?ve found some things in oddball places. Various sizes of metal beads at Micheal?s, along with foam sheets. I can get bead-chain at a hardware store, and have a source for Mardi Gras beads for different sizes and colors. I?ve found 28 gauge brass wire at a hardware store. Flip-flops are on sale right now at Old Navy, so I can get foam for poppers.
Once Fall gets here, I?m sure I can get some squirrel tails, deer hair, etc. Maybe even some duck feathers.
Where does everyone else get stuff in oddball places?
You’d be surprized what you can find at your local Goodwill stores, especially if you have an opene mind to using oddball stuff for fly tying. I picked up six brand new woman’s wigs in different colors for 99 cents each. They actuall make very nice streamers and dubbing materials.
Dollar Tree, JoAnn Fabrics, Michael’s, AC Moore, sometimes you can get lucky at Yard Sales, friends who hunt. Not too enamored with ebay for a few years now.
Talk to a taxidermist, too. They have scraps they may give away or sell cheap. Try looking up your local game bird breeders association. I’ve gotten good deals on birds in the fall when they are cutting back to the breed stock they want to carry over the winter. Their definition of game birds includes exotic pheasants and peacocks as well as varieties that may not be native to your area.
Mardi gras beads? Seriously? The flimsy plastic ones? I am dying to find cheap beads and cones. I want to tie weighted woolies and bunny leaches really bad!