Micro Fibbets vs Cow Elk or other stiffy tails

[PaScoGi]

So what is the determination for deciding to tie dry patterns with a Micro Fibbet? For example, most Adams dry fly patterns do not use Micro Fibbets. But then I will see some Cahill patterns use them.

Is it personal choice? Does the tail even matter on a dry fly? Certainly theres a difference in floatability it seems.

Just curious what everones tail materials are for their dry patterns

 

[Bamboozle]

I use Micro Fibbettes exclusively unless I'm tying some classic fly for a shadow box.

I like everything about them especially the ease of using them & their durability.

In the "olden days" I used spade hackle.

 

[jifigz]

It all depends on what I'm tying, but I like microfibetts for certain patterns, and moose body hair for many patterns.

If you don't have microfibetts, use a nylon paint brush.

 

[kbobb]

If you don't have microfibetts, use a nylon paint brush.

Paintbrush gives me a lifetime supply - get them for $3 at harbor freight.

 

[Drifly]

Neither, Coq de Leon tailing fibers preform most naturally, super soft and they have movement. I have a friend who swears some super selective fish feel the stiffness of the micro fibbets and refuse to take. Idk?

 

[Bamboozle]

Neither, Coq de Leon tailing fibers preform most naturally, super soft and they have movement. I have a friend who swears some super selective fish feel the stiffness of the micro fibbets and refuse to take. Idk?

But they don't feel the stiffness of a hook...

 

[joebamboo]

I second the paint brush fibers. One brush should last forever!!!

 

[Wild_Trouter]

So what is the determination for deciding to tie dry patterns with a Micro Fibbet? For example, most Adams dry fly patterns do not use Micro Fibbets. But then I will see some Cahill patterns use them.

Is it personal choice? Does the tail even matter on a dry fly? Certainly theres a difference in floatability it seems.

Just curious what everones tail materials are for their dry patterns

Typically, I use micro fibbets for spinner patterns and some thorax duns. Agree 100% on paint brush fibers for tails on standard mayflies. I use the Moose Body tailing for flies I feel need more stability in rougher water...say like Royal Humpies, Ausable Wulffs, etc.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Microfibbets for spinners and comparaduns.

 

[lestrout]

The patterns using Microfibbets that I see use 2 or 3 of them split at the tail. Does anyone use them as a clump the way most use spade hackle?

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Neither, Coq de Leon tailing fibers preform most naturally, super soft and they have movement. I have a friend who swears some super selective fish feel the stiffness of the micro fibbets and refuse to take. Idk?

Maybe your friend mouth-tested the stiffness of micro fibbets himself?

 

[PaScoGi]

thanks all much appreciated!

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Paintbrush gives me a lifetime supply - get them for $3 at harbor freight.

I did the same I even found a medium dun colored brush at Ollie's (good stuff cheap)

 

[Drifly]

But they don't feel the stiffness of a hook...

Too late by then.

 

[Bamboozle]

The patterns using Microfibbets that I see use 2 or 3 of them split at the tail. Does anyone use them as a clump the way most use spade hackle?

Even though I use Micro Fibbettes 100% of the time for flies with split tails, if I am tying a fly with a clump of fibers for the tail (which is rare), I still use spade hackle.

 

[Bamboozle]

Questions for the paintbrush crowd:

Are you finding color choices, fine bristles and bristles that aren't flared at the end in hardware stores?

Excluding high end art brushes which makes no sense, I looked at paint brushes in the past but but stuck with Microfibbetts because of the fineness of the fibers, pointy tips and the color options.

I understand a trout could give a rat's a$$ whether the tails on a Sulphur are the correct color but if I'm going to spend a minute or two tying them in and splitting them...

I want them to be yellow...

 

[rancid waders]

I'm kind of surprised nymph fishers don't incorporate them for eye catching appeal, maybe they float or neutral boyant

 

[Bamboozle]

I'm kind of surprised nymph fishers don't incorporate them for eye catching appeal, maybe they float or neutral boyant

I don't use them on nymphs because natural fibers like wood duck have movement in the water and I THINK that makes a difference subsurface.

 

[coyoterahn]

Questions for the paintbrush crowd:

Are you finding color choices, fine bristles and bristles that aren't flared at the end in hardware stores?

Excluding high end art brushes which makes no sense, I looked at paint brushes in the past but but stuck with Microfibbetts because of the fineness of the fibers, pointy tips and the color options.

I understand a trout could give a rat's a$$ whether the tails on a Sulphur are the correct color but if I'm going to spend a minute or two tying them in and splitting them...

I want them to be yellow...

Trout taking sulphurs are more prone to disregard the fibbett tail color but your hook HAS to have yellow/orange hues to be effective 😳

 

[goose54cdd]

Trout taking sulphurs are more prone to disregard the fibbett tail color but your hook HAS to have yellow/orange hues to be effective 😳

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