The Hidden Gems On Your Bench

Every fly tyer has their go-to materials and tools: the bodkin that never lets you down, the hackle pliers you reach for instinctively, that old whip-finish tool that's an extension of your fingers. But what about those overlooked materials and tools sitting quietly in the corners of your bench? The ones that could transform your patterns if you just gave them a chance?

These nine items represent exceptional value and performance that can elevate your tying game without breaking the bank. More importantly, they solve specific problems that many tyers struggle with daily.

While many tyers default to standard ribbing materials, GLO Brite Floss offers something unique: a subtle luminescence that triggers strikes without screaming "artificial."

The magic happens in the water. Where regular floss might disappear into drab uniformity, GLO Brite maintains just enough visibility to catch a trout's attention. We know of tyers who have had exceptional success using it as ribbing on size 18-22 emergers, where that hint of flash mimics the gas bubble that helps naturals reach the surface. For thoraxes on small mayfly patterns, it creates that perfect glass-belly effect that selective trout seem to demand.

The real beauty? At under five dollars, you can afford to experiment. Try it as a hot spot on your favorite nymph pattern, or use it to build segmented bodies on midge larvae. The fluorescent colors work particularly well in stained water or low-light conditions.

UV resin has revolutionized fly tying, but many tyers still shy away from it, thinking it's complicated or messy. Solarez Fly Tie proves otherwise. This 5-gram tube is perfectly sized for the average tier—enough for plenty of flies without the waste of larger containers going bad.

If you've not worked with UV, the game-changer is the cure time. While traditional head cement requires careful drying and multiple coats, Solarez creates a bulletproof finish in under 30 seconds with a UV light. The optical clarity rivals the best head cements, but with durability that stands up to rocky streams and aggressive fish. 

Use it to build surf candies and other hard-bodied saltwater flies or for freshwater applications to create built-in eyes on streamers (simply cure a small drop, then add another drop with a dark center), and to finish heads on delicate dry flies where traditional cement might soak into hackle fibers. The color options—clear, amber, and various tints—let you match the finish to your pattern's overall color scheme.

The Euro-nymphing revolution has changed how we think about subsurface presentations, and this hook embodies that evolution. The fixed 60-degree bend positions the fly perfectly for that critical hook-point-up orientation that prevents snags and improves hook sets.

What sets the JF2 apart is the wire diameter—heavy enough to get down quickly, but not so heavy that it creates an unnatural presentation on lighter tippets. The barbless design isn't just environmentally conscious; it actually penetrates better than many barbed hooks, leading to more solid connections.

Translucency is often the difference between a good pattern and a great one, especially in clear water. Sybai's Ghost Hair delivers that ethereal quality that's so difficult to achieve with natural materials.

The fiber length and movement are perfect for baitfish patterns from size 6 down to tiny glass minnow imitations. Unlike bucktail or other natural hairs, Ghost Hair maintains its translucent quality when wet, creating that "now you see it, now you don't" effect that drives predatory fish crazy.

Raccoon fur has always been a tier's friend, but Finn Raccoon represents the premium end of the spectrum. The guard hairs are finer and more uniform than standard raccoon, while the underfur creates incredibly lifelike dubbing that moves with the slightest current.

The natural color variation within each patch gives you options—use the darker guard hairs for wingcases or legs, while the lighter underfur creates perfect thorax dubbing for mayfly nymphs. The water shedding properties are exceptional, making it ideal for emerger patterns where you want the body to ride just beneath the surface.

Most tyers own multiple pairs of cheap tweezers that sort of work most of the time. The Tyflyz Hackle Tweezer represents the opposite philosophy, one precision tool that works perfectly every time.

The secret is in the tip alignment and grip tension. Cheap tweezers either don't meet properly (letting hackle fibers slip) or grip too aggressively (crushing delicate materials). These tweezers grab hackle stems firmly without damage, maintaining consistent tension throughout the wrapping process.

The difference becomes obvious on difficult ties—tiny dry flies where hackle placement is critical, or large streamers where you're working with multiple hackle feathers simultaneously. What used to be an exercise in frustration becomes smooth and controlled.

Sometimes the simplest materials create the most elegant solutions. Lagartun's Mini Flat Braid proves this concept beautifully. This micro-flat braid offers control and finish quality that's difficult to achieve with round materials.

The flat profile lies perfectly against the hook shank, creating smooth underbodies for delicate patterns or precise ribbing that won't bulk up small flies. The material stretches slightly under tension, conforming to irregular shapes while maintaining its neat appearance.

Try it for ribbing on small nymphs and emergers, where every detail matters. The flat profile creates distinct segments without the bulk of round wire, and the variety of colors lets you match or contrast with your pattern's overall scheme. For slender midge larvae or sophisticated mayfly nymphs, it's nearly impossible to beat.

The minimal fuss factor can't be overstated. Unlike materials that require special techniques or tools, Mini Flat Braid simply does what you expect it to do, consistently and reliably.

Threading a bobbin shouldn't break your concentration, but fumbling with uncooperative thread often does exactly that. J.Stockard's brass bobbin threader features a hexagonal handle that won't roll off the bench, with a fine wire loop formed in a tight shape for easy insertion into the bobbin tube.

The genius is in the details. The hex handle eliminates the frustration of chasing a round tool across your bench every time you set it down. The wire loop is sized perfectly—large enough to catch thread easily, small enough to navigate even narrow bobbin tubes smoothly.

Beyond basic bobbin threading, this tool shines in unexpected applications. It's particularly handy for pulling rubber legs through hair or foam bodies—a technique that's nearly impossible with other tools. For complex terrestrial patterns or bass flies with multiple legs, this becomes indispensable.

The time savings add up quickly. What used to be a 30-second wrestling match with recalcitrant thread becomes a 5-second task. Over the course of a tying session, that efficiency translates to more flies completed and less frustration. For tyers who change thread colors frequently, it's a workflow game-changer.

Bench organization often gets overlooked until clutter becomes overwhelming. The Foamanizer system is designed to help organize your fly tying bench to perfection, made of lightweight foam with modules designed to hold and organize fly tying beads, hooks, thread, resins, and glues.

The Standard Spool Tool Module tackles the most common problem on every tier's bench—where to put the tools you're actively using without losing them in the chaos. Traditional tool rests work for one or two items, but complex patterns requiring multiple tools quickly overwhelm simple solutions.

The modular system can grow or be used in smaller configurations, making it perfect for both dedicated tying rooms and portable setups. The foam construction is surprisingly durable while remaining light enough to rearrange as needed. Spilled materials clean off easily, and the neutral color doesn't clash with any bench setup.

These materials and tools share common characteristics: they solve specific problems elegantly, offer exceptional value, and work consistently across various patterns. More importantly, they're approachable—you don't need years of experience to use them effectively. CHECK OUT SOME MORE, HERE.

The real hidden gem isn't any single material, but the mindset of constantly exploring new options.

Next time you're placing an order, consider adding one or two unfamiliar items to your cart. That five-dollar spool of unusual thread or small packet of synthetic dubbing might become your new secret weapon. After all, the best patterns often come from the most unexpected combinations.