RexW

Unfortunately, many of the patterns in this style can be challenging to tie, especially to a "display quality". You may want to consider tying a pattern you are already used to tying, but scale it up and tie it on a larger hook. As far as the question about using more common materials, hair wing patterns would be a good option. Someone already mentioned bucktail wing flies such as the Mickey Finn, but you can tie many of the patterns posted earlier using hair instead of feathers. Squirrel tails, calf tails, and buck tails are usually easy to find and they are easier to tie on straight than traditional feather wings. But just because they are easier to tie than a married feather wing, that doesn't mean they are easy patterns. They can be challenging, especially a slippery squirrel tail. Here's a simple example. You just need some floss, tinsel, and a squirrel tail. Good luck and be sure to post a picture of the finished product.

Fishingfly, how's your progress going toward the award?

Thanks for coming out Saturday. I'm glad you enjoyed the fly line discussion, even if I did talk too long.

If I attached it correctly, here's a 1997 ad for the AK vise.