Q: What are chenille and body materials used for in fly tying?
A: Chenille and other body materials are used to create the bodies of flies, adding bulk, texture, and color. They help imitate insect segments, baitfish profiles, or attractor-style patterns that move naturally in the water.
Q: What types of chenille are available?
A: Common varieties include standard rayon chenille, ultra chenille (micro or medium), sparkle chenille, polar chenille, cactus chenille, and UV-enhanced chenille. Each produces a different texture, profile, or level of flash for freshwater and saltwater flies.
Q: What are leg materials used for?
A: Rubber and silicone leg materials add lifelike motion and vibration to flies. They’re often used in streamers, bass bugs, nymphs, and terrestrials like hoppers or stoneflies to simulate legs, antennae, or movement that triggers strikes.
Q: What’s the difference between chenille and dubbing?
A: Chenille is a pre-formed strand with fibers radiating from a central core — easy to wrap for quick, even bodies. Dubbing involves loose fibers twisted around thread, offering more control for fine detail or subtle texture.
Q: How do I attach chenille or leg materials to my fly?
A: Secure chenille at the rear of the hook and wrap it forward to build the body, then tie off and trim. For legs, tie them in on each side of the fly, adjusting length and symmetry before finishing with head cement or resin for durability.
Q: Are body and leg materials suitable for both freshwater and saltwater flies?
A: Yes. Foam, silicone, and synthetic chenilles hold up well in all environments. Saltwater patterns often use flashier, UV, or sparkle chenilles for better visibility in deep or clear water.
Q: Can chenille be combined with other materials?
A: Definitely. Many tiers blend chenille with dubbing loops, marabou, flash, or hackle to create bulkier, more animated patterns — especially for streamers and attractors.
Q: Why carry chenille, body, and leg materials at Drift Outfitters?
A: Because they’re the foundation of countless fly patterns. Drift Outfitters stocks premium chenilles, rubber legs, and synthetic body materials from Hareline, Wapsi, Flybox, and EP, giving tiers everything they need to tie effective flies for trout, bass, steelhead, and beyond.
