Mark Klemick sent samples of the iridescent clear plastic material commonly sold as gift wrap at craft stores. I have a lightweight version of this (almost like cellophane). Mark's was a more medium weight version. I will be looking to see if they make a heavy weight as well.
If you have:
Tulle
Iridescent plastic sheeting
Dave's Flexament
Body feathers such as grouse, pheasant, partridge, or a mottled turkey feather
Scrap 1/4" strip cut from foam sheeting
Then, take a look at the following:
1. Cut out a sheet of the iridescent plastic material. Fold the foam strip in half, dip the bend into Dave Flexament and lightly coat one side of the plastic sheet. Take a cut piece of tulle roughly the same size as the plastic, lay into the Flexament, then overcoat the combination with another coat of Flexament. (The foam strip makes a disposable glue brush that works very well).
This stuff can be used as is for veined winging material, a super realistic minnow body material with 'scale' patterns for streamers, or whatever you might conjure up for it. You can also put this into a wing burner, though these don't tie in as nicely as straight tulle. If you need more stiffness, add another layer of tulle or just fold the two-part laminate in half and Flexament, adding up to four layers of material. Three layers (two pieces of tulle with plastic laminated between them) would be perfect for Stonefly wings.
Other plastic materials are possible to use this way. One that comes to mind is the smokey grey, half-reflective plastic bag material used to package computer chips and circuit boards.
2. Cut out a small sheet of iridescent plastic material, coat one side with Flexament. Lay a cleaned body feather into the glue, then overcoat with more Flexament using the foam applicator. This produces something similar to a tape wing (which uses Scotch transparent tape and Flexament). However, you can use feathers or feather segments of any size, and the iridescent backing adds a unique flash to one side of the feather and makes the other side glow and appear very lifelike. You have a choice when tying about which side to make most visible to the fish. I am thinking that if I use this type of wing I might eliminate one of the tying steps in some flies where you are supposed to tie in strands of Krystal Flash. Less weight, better water shedding ability.
These materials and their use need to be seen to be believed. It's exciting to see the new flies, as they look very promising. I hope to give the flies a good test in the next five days or so.
Thanks again to Del Roberts and Mark Klemick for supplying samples of these materials.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." ~ Henry David Thoreau
