A unique material that's been used for years, Swiss Straw is a great choice whether you're tying realistic crayfish for mudding carp or small scuds for your local tailwater. Swiss Straw is a thin and durable straw-like material that absorbs water and has a natural sheen. With its wide range of colors, you can always find the right shade to match a myriad of insects or crustaceans. Use it to tie anything from wing cases on large stonefly nymphs to the perfect spinner wing when ultra-fussy fish demand an ultra-realistic imitation. Swiss Straw is versatile, effective, and easy to work with.

Uses

Swiss Straw has a range of applications, but it's most commonly used when tying wing cases on nymphs, shellbacks on fresh and saltwater crustaceans, or building lifelike wings on spinners and dry flies. This material can be cut or burned to get the desired shape, adding to its versatility.

Comparisons

There really isn't a comparable alternative when it comes to Swiss Straw. This material is so unique in its look and composition that nothing offers a substitute with as much versatility. If you simply want something for wing cases on nymphs or shellbacks on scuds, then Hareline's Scud Back is a good choice, although it wouldn't work for a dry fly or emerger wing.