Bit of Alpaca

[tie2fish]

William ~ That caddis pupa is wonderful IMHO. I would fish it with great confidence, especially in off-color water.

Tim ~ If you employ a spinning block to make your bodies, you can achieve " ...that kind of look" with any number of dubbing materials.

[novabass]

William, that green caddis is really nice, I like that a lot! I think the starling compliments it very well.

I'm surprised you had trouble sinking the flies. Alpaca always seems to soak up water, however I have never used it quite like this. I've used it sparingly on small flies or in clumps on big streamers. I'm glad you are looking into this more deeply, it is helping me learn more about the material.

You and Bill have inspired me to get some alpaca dubbing loops cooking.

[William Anderson]

Thanks again.

I'm surprised you had trouble sinking the flies. Alpaca always seems to soak up water, however I have never used it quite like this. I've used it sparingly on small flies or in clumps on big streamers. I'm glad you are looking into this more deeply, it is helping me learn more about the material.

You and Bill have inspired me to get some alpaca dubbing loops cooking.

Paul, the dubbing may be very absorbent, but on the flies I've tied using it, it doesn't seem to be the case. Could very well be a difference in construction method. I find mole and muskrat to also be absorbent, or at least not offer any assistance in staying aloft, but many of the soft hackles tied using them float and retain air until persuaded to sink, then they are just all buggy.