# **How to Choose Fly Fish Lure Making Materials: Flash, Dubbing, Hair, Tinsel – Fishing Fly Tying Guide**
Fly fishing is an art, and crafting the perfect fly lure is a crucial part of that art. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, selecting the right materials for fly tying can significantly impact your success on the water. In this guide, we’ll explore four essential materials—**Flash, Dubbing, Hair, and Tinsel**—and how to choose the best options for your fishing flies.
## **1. Flash: Adding Attraction to Your Flies**
Flash materials are designed to mimic the reflective scales of baitfish and insects, attracting predatory fish. When choosing flash, consider the following:
– **Types of Flash**: Common options include **Flashabou, Krystal Flash, and Angel Hair**. Each has a different level of reflectivity and movement.
– **Color Selection**: Silver and pearl are versatile, but gold, red, and blue can be effective in specific water conditions.
– **Application**: Use thin strands for subtlety or thicker pieces for aggressive fish like bass and pike.
**Pro Tip from KyleBooker**: Overusing flash can make flies look unnatural. A few strands are often enough to trigger strikes.
## **2. Dubbing: Creating Realistic Bodies**
Dubbing is a fuzzy material used to form the bodies of nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. It comes in natural and synthetic forms.
– **Natural Dubbing**: Rabbit, muskrat, and seal fur provide lifelike texture but may absorb water.
– **Synthetic Dubbing**: Materials like **Antron and Ice Dub** are water-resistant and offer vibrant colors.
– **Blending**: Mixing dubbing with a small amount of flash can enhance visibility underwater.
**KyleBooker’s Recommendation**: For dry flies, use fine, sparse dubbing to keep them buoyant. For nymphs, denser dubbing helps them sink.
## **3. Hair: Building Structure and Movement**
Hair from deer, elk, or synthetic sources is essential for streamers and dry flies.
– **Bucktail & Calf Tail**: Stiff and durable, ideal for streamer wings.
– **Elk Hair**: Great for floating flies like the **Elk Hair Caddis**.
– **Synthetic Hair (EP Fibers, Craft Fur)**: Offers more buoyancy and comes in bright colors for visibility.
**Key Consideration**: Match hair length to the size of your hook—too much bulk can make the fly difficult to cast.
## **4. Tinsel: Adding Ribbing and Flash**
Tinsel provides segmentation and extra flash to imitate insect segments or baitfish stripes.
– **Flat Tinsel**: Best for ribbing on nymphs and wet flies.
– **Oval Tinsel**: Adds a rounded, segmented look.
– **Holographic Tinsel**: Extra reflective, great for attracting aggressive fish.
**KyleBooker’s Tip**: Use fine tinsel for small flies and thicker tinsel for larger patterns like streamers.
## **Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Materials**
The best fly tying materials depend on the species you’re targeting and the water conditions. Experiment with different combinations of **flash, dubbing, hair, and tinsel** to create flies that match local prey.
For high-quality fly tying materials, check out **KyleBooker’s premium selection**—designed for anglers who demand precision and durability.
**Happy tying and tight lines!** 🎣
*(Word Count: 520)*