Guest Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Hello everyone, I am starting to tie sowbugs and scuds. I have went and bought the sowbug/scud dubbing and am now seeing there are quite a few patterns that are calling for all sorts of shell backs. Is there an alternative to having to buy a bunch of colors of shell backs? I have found a pattern that calls for plastic from a ziploc baggie. Now I have that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I will have one tied so I can post a picture of it before the end of the weekend. Thanks Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyboy 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Saltwater flashabou makes nice shellbacks. It's wider and stiffer than normal size flashabou. It comes in a variety of colors and it's wide enough to cover the back of most scud patterns. Plus there's enough material in a package to tie about a million flies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3wt 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Latex Glove works well! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mozes 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 You can use old audio tapes. There is enough material for MANY flies on one tape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3wt 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 QUOTE (mozes @ Sep 25 2004, 06:38 AM) You can use old audio tapes. There is enough material for MANY flies on one tape. Now that's pretty inovative! Good one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.C.TroutHunter 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Zip-loc bags and such also work great and are quite cheap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdeyette 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 I tied this scud using plastic from some bubble wrap that I had laying around. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SDHflyfisher 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 i use krystal flash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlearsi67 0 Report post Posted September 27, 2004 Swiss straw is my go to. The most interesting I have heard of are Brach's candy wrappers - something about that yellow color I guess. Jay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted September 27, 2004 Selafain wrap off cigarette packs OSD. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlobalFisher 0 Report post Posted September 27, 2004 I have been using some flashabou for the shellbacks, looks very good when you apply epoxy over it, like "Loons Salt Water Skalze". I should try using the ziplock, thats a good idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted September 27, 2004 Lots of materials to use. Endless as your imagination, as you can see from above posts. I use the plastic baggy myself alot. But also use alot of edgebrite, and similar materials as well. Depending on how big I'm tying and what effect I want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
artimus 0 Report post Posted September 27, 2004 I've used the 'noisy' grocery bags. I cut it into strips twice as wide as what I need and then pull it. It stretches out and becomes very strong and shiny. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted September 27, 2004 Thanks guys I appreciate all the help on this. I was thinking maybe they were calling for specific materials for a specific effect. If that makes sense. Thanks alot Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted September 27, 2004 I save the bags that my stuff is sold in, the bags that they hang off the rack in, and use them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites