What's a good substitute for wool & deer

[Sylvaneous]

What is a good synthetic substitute for wool and deer hair to build up bulk on the head of a streamer and sculpin patterns? I want something that isn't buoyant or so heavy when wet.

Syl

 

[tztrout]

Some of my favorites:
Bruiser Blend from flyfishfood.com
Kraken and MS Bugger from flytyersdungeon.com
Senyo's Laser dub (most flyshops)

All of these work well for streamer heads.

 

[TYoung]

Try sculpin wool.

http://www.orvis.com/p/sculpin-wool/0L06?item_code=0L062100&adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-FlyFishing-_-0L06-_-127748&gclid=CjwKCAjwnLjVBRAdEiwAKSGPI6MLYZwi5qrKcAExgQanhSbsfU97mCeTs9An8Vgg1I-LuIg9K0EMMhoC6AgQAvD_BwE

 

[bigjohn58]

TYoung wrote:
Try sculpin wool.

http://www.orvis.com/p/sculpin-wool/0L06?item_code=0L062100&adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-FlyFishing-_-0L06-_-127748&gclid=CjwKCAjwnLjVBRAdEiwAKSGPI6MLYZwi5qrKcAExgQanhSbsfU97mCeTs9An8Vgg1I-LuIg9K0EMMhoC6AgQAvD_BwE

I like sculpin wool also...easy to work with!

 

[LongLineRelease]

I agree with the synthetic materials from flytyersdungeon. I spin or stack heads from Congo hair, water silk, big bopper dubbing, frog dub, and kraken dub. All good water shedding synthetics. But in my mind nothing beats craft store wool roving - cheap, easy to shape, looks great. Just heavy when wet

 

[SurfCowboyXX]

I use EP fibers as a substitute. Cut them to length, then bunch them and spin them just like wool

 

[afishinado]

SurfCowboyXX wrote:
I use EP fibers as a substitute. Cut them to length, then bunch them and spin them just like wool

+1 ^

I've used EP (Enrico Puglisi) or SF (Steve Farrar) fibers for tying bulky head freshwater flies. They keep their bulky look without absorbing a lot of water, so it's not like casting a wet dish towel. I use dumbbells or weight on the shank the fly to get it down and/or use a sink tip line when fishing them.