Saving $$ - part II : The Sparkle Pupa

So it's been a pathetically long time since I posted something substantial. I would love to say that it's been because I've been so busy being outside and catching fish... instead the truth is that *insert* Whine whine whine I'm overworked and underpaid blah blah blah *end insert*

So what little free time I've had has been spent making my fingers raw via guitar or tying a few flies in the dead of night. I think my poor wife feels like a widow. Anyways-- here's part II of the saving money series which really can't be called a series yet:

Part II: Scamtron Yarn

Ok, that title is harsh... I just couldn't think of anything more witty... wittier... more wittier... whitier... $#@$%. Anyways... I've bought a lot of antron yarn-- I just like the stuff. And it seems that anything labeled with the magic words "fly fishing" will be cost more than is sustainable on my budget (that doesn't necessarily mean it's that expensive). I have a lot of colors of the stuff-- mostly from the bargain bin in those worthless but nonetheless eye catching colors that are said to catch fishes. But in the end the best luck I've had is with the white stuff that never seems to find it's way to the bargain bin. In fact, here's a little secret: My favorite october caddis pattern is a sparkle pupa in rusty orange, tied with a white antron bubble:


Now, on a recent trip to the craft store (the kind where I tag along with the wife and then spend more money than she does there), I saw something that looked awfully familiar:

It was a couple of bucks so I committed, made the just-in-case $2 investment and, lo-and-behold, it looked even more familiar when combed out a bit:

Now I'm not saying that this stuff is the same as antron, or that it works as well as antron, or that you shouldn't buy antron at your fly shop... but I just have to say this is DAMN close to the real McCoy. And I now have a lifetime supply. So I'll be keeping these little caddis imitating biddies stocked in my box, and you probably should too-- Gary Lafontaine's sparkle pupa. I keep tan & olive in #16-12 and orange in #10-12 around for good luck (and, you know, fishes or something) and I'm going to give a chartruese #16 a go this year-- here it is:

The Sparkle Pupa:

MATERIALS:

thread: black or brown 6/0
hook: #10-16 tiemco 2457
tail: a few antron fibers
body: tan, olive or orange rabbit dubbing
ribbing: (optional) small copper wire
Gas bubble: antron pulled over, tied down and
then loosened for a bulbous shape
Legs/Hackle: partridge or hen back
thorax: I like pt or peackock colored arizona synthetic