Building up bodies with less material

[fish_4_any]

I have used spaghetti beads and other oblong beads for building up bodies for a while. Cutting them to slip them over the hook is a pain but doable. I like them when tying shrimp patterns and other clear body jigs and flies. A clear bead in a pink or red with larva lace crocheted over it is a nice shrimp. Will post pics when I find them while unpacking.

What does everyone use for building up bodies without using a lot of regular tying materials?

[gillchaser999]

I’ve used wire , which also adds additional weight .
If no additional weight is needed, you can get craft yarn to build up under chenille bodies .
When I first started tying crochet , rug, and knitting yarn is all I used for my bodies .

[stabgnid]

I would use this Uni Nylon Stretch
– Fly Fish Food for building bodies up. It comes in all colors. I use it to build up bodies when I tie salmon flies
Steve-stabgnid

[rich mc]

one of my favorites is flat toothpick. also very thin foam from electronic packages. i also use premier pixie dust yarn , as its small and has sparkle

[Shoemoo]

Cheap chenille. It's sold for knitting baby blankets at most craft stores. I think you can even get it at Walmart.