Welcome back to the new NEFF. Take a break from Twitter and Facebook. You don't go to Dicks for your fly fishing gear, you go to your local fly fishing store. Enjoy!
What you will find is that the TPF are not nearly as stiff as the hair. I prefer the hair and use such synthetics for wings and posts that can be bound to hold them upright.
I've only ever used EP materials for subsurface flies. Deer hair is cheap, exceptionally effective because deer hair is hollow allowing it to float the fly better, and widely available.
I use them all the time. Floats really well (takes floatant nicely), and looks better after a little bit of a beating. I think they're much better for small flies than deer hair, and I'm a deer hair nerd.
I've tied compara duns with them and they do catch fish. I prefer deer hair wings though, I like the way they taper and that they have a natural, uneven color to them. My son uses EPF for his smaller sparkle duns.
I do like EPF for spinner wings, posts and underwings on caddis.
I've tied compara duns with them and they do catch fish. I prefer deer hair wings though, I like the way they taper and that they have a natural, uneven color to them. My son uses EPF for his smaller sparkle duns.
I do like EPF for spinner wings, posts and underwings on caddis.
Big flies its deer hair all the way, the stiff structure holds its shape better and you can really utilize the hollow-core of the hair. Small flies though I like the split-wing EPF. Its easier to clean up and revive after it gets wet or sore-lips a fish. Its overall sturdier after a couple of fish, just shake it dry, dust it, and keep fishing. Plus it looks good once it gets ratty.