fflutterffly, Howdy;
Ok, ... I see, same old problem (for me), that lead to 4 ex-Ms. hank's .
One of those She Said ... He Heard kinda things ....
In the first asking of the question, (“There is little money to be spent on so many tying supplies and I'm sure the subject has been breached before, but please humor me. If given a choice which would you use:
you can only pick two in each category:
Hook
Hackle
Dubbing
Thread color”).
you were not quite so clear (specific) and when you led off with the money is tight bit …I reckon that's why the suggestions about prioritizing what to procure, or maybe it was my suggestions that helped to channel those thoughts. I can accept blame (I've grown).
This second asking directs us (me), to think more in terms of ordering at a Chinese Restaurant (2 from col. A and 2 from col. B
etc.).

("Hank my question is the same as posted. So let me ask it one more time.
If you were on a island, flanked by wildly full trout rivers, and you could only have two each of each of following, aside form your best mate, food and beer, what would it be.
Pick two types of hook. Two type of hackle. Two type of dubbing. Two thread.")
I am still only a beginner at this ( no real practical experience), so I’ll sit back and enjoy the answers and learn as well.
Thanks for asking … both questions.
hank