[VFB] Hot Glue Eggs

[Tom Davenport]

I just got back from the SLC Sportsman's Expo and learned a new (for me anyway) method of making egg patterns from hot glue sticks. An alcohol lamp was used instead of a glue gun, and forceps instead of a vice. First small chips of glue sticks are cut off on the tying table. Then the hook shank is heated and allowed to melt into one of the chips. This gentleman started with a clear glue chip. Then the chip was heated quickly over the flame until it melted into a bead. The hot bead was used to pick up a chip of a different color (a kind of cheese orange glue stick, available at most fly shops). The bead was placed over the fire again and the new color melted into the clear. Finally a bit of a red opaque color was used. The result was a very realistic looking egg, and the whole process was quick and very easy since the egg could always be re-shaped with just a little more heating if it didn't look right. When he had the result he wanted, the whole thing was popped into a glass of water to set the glue. Very slick indeed.

Has anyone had success using hot glue stick eggs? How well do they perform compared to the more imitative glo-bug?

Tom Davenport