[rottal]

I read in one of your earlier posts that you like to use peacock herl at the head of your black beauties, but have you ever tried using olive brown ice dub as a substition?  I only mention it because the ice dub seems to be a little more durable then peacock.  I love using peacock in my flies, but man that stuff falls apart after pretty easily. 

i started using ice dub quite a bit instead of peacock herl...and i like it alot. its color can vary from package to package, so when you find the color you want buy some extra...sometimes its a bit too green or too black, depending on how it was blended or colored that particular batch.

i do that with thread and other dubbing also...maybe thats why i have so much fly tying junk in plastic tubs all over the house...