Craft stores for tying materials?

[Stewie 0]

New to fly tying. Mostly tying saltwater flies. My question is - can you use eyes, feathers and other materials from a place like Michael’s/Joanns? Or are those materials unique to fly shops? Thanks!

[SalarMan 0]

We all like to patronize our local fly shops...but don't hesitate to use items from craft/material shops like Michael's or Joann's. They work just fine!!

[Stewie 0]

Agreed about local fly shops. I wish I had one closer to me, I’m just stuck in between a true fly shop and Cabellas. Neither close. Now we have a Michael’s about to open in my town 8 minutes from me so was curious. 
thanks! 

[cphubert 0]

The only downside to craft store feathers I found that they are packaged without regard to matching- you may not find left and right feathers for consistency. it may not be an issue for you depending on use-for wing cases, tails, and throats it is not, for married wets or the like it may be better to spend the time ordering matched sets or wings for traditional dry flies. But if they are on sale, I buy them, and other items glass beads, wool yarn, macrame cord, 2mm foam (the list goes on and on) you will have a lifelong supply if the color is what you want.

[Stewie 0]

Thanks. I appreciate the response. 

[Chasing_Tails 0]

On 8/11/2024 at 2:09 PM, Stewie said:

New to fly tying. Mostly tying saltwater flies. My question is - can you use eyes, feathers and other materials from a place like Michael’s/Joanns? Or are those materials unique to fly shops? Thanks!

The craft stores are your best friend when it comes to foam. They typically have a wide variety of 2mm foam and 6mm in limited colors (usually just black and white). This is probably the most common material I get from them as it is much cheaper than "fly tying" foam.

I also pick up various colors and sizes of glass beads, plastic eyes, colored wire, yarn, chenille, embroidery thread, tinsel thread, tinsel, leather, straight pins for balanced flies or extended bodies, and craft/faux fur. it really just comes down to your imagination of what you can use a material for. I like to think out of the box and experiment so a walk around the craft store will definitely spark new ideas. 

You can also find various tools such as wire cutters, shape punches, large needles for pulling legs.

My wife usually visits the craft store once a week, I figure that I might as well make the most of it.