Looking for interesting fly-tying ideas? These new materials open up many cool possibilities

BRUSHES

Made of blended synthetic fibres twisted around a wire, brushes resemble a wildly overgrown pipe cleaner. When you wrap the brush around the hook shank, the material flares out. This lets you quickly make collars or entire bodies by tying in a single material, instead of multiple feathers or dubbing on loose fur. And the result is nearly indestructible, since even the toothiest gamefish won’t damage the wire or fibres.

Brushes haven’t been around long, but they already come in a wide variety of colours, lengths, textures and densities. There are so many choices, in fact, it’s wise to buy brushes in person if you’re looking for specific characteristics, as it’s hard to see what you’re getting from just a photo.

I use brushes to make a durable (and sparkly) body on Seaducer- and Woolly Bugger-style streamers, and to create large, thick heads that push a lot of water on big baitfish flies, such as the EP Pike/Offshore. There are many more applications for flies both large and small, including plenty that no one’s even thought of yet. (To see how to use a brush to make a quick, one-material baitfish fly, click this link.)