Speaking of floatants: I hear that Albolene moisturizing lotion works great--and a lifetime supply of the stuff costs around $10. I also heard that Carmex lip balm keeps flies floating high and dry. Anyone ever try these low-budget methods?
I'd also be interested in finding a substitute for the store-bought silica powders, as they seem ridiculously overpriced. Thanks for feedback, Craig -----Original Message----- From: Jim Speaker [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 12:23 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Floatants (was RE: WaterShed on Nymphs?) Yep, second that on aquel - far better than gink... what's that crud that orvis sells? The orvis floatant is the worst!! Jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of rderedfield Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 12:17 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: WaterShed on Nymphs? Thumbs up on Aquel and Top Ride. Aquel is the best gel floatant out there, in my opinion. It stays consistent; it doesn't coagulate in cooler weather, and doesn't turn to water when temperature gets above 80. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 12:02 PM Subject: Re: WaterShed on Nymphs? > Why do you want to make a weighted nymph float? Seems > counterproductive. > > There was a new floatant out a year or two ago called Frog Fanny. The > manufacturer claimed it'd even make a bead-head nymph float. It's a > fluffy powder you apply with a little brush in the cap and traps > little air bubbles in the hackle and body. > > Worked just like WaterShed - dry flies would float until you caught a > fish with 'em, then it was back to square one. Never tried it with a > nymph though, so I couldn't say if it worked or not. > > I've been using Loon's Aquel lately. Once my dry fly becomes > waterlogged, I'll shake it off then use a small piece of chamois to > blot it dry. Sometimes, instead of reapplying more Aquel, I'll shake > the blotted fly in Loon Top Ride or Shimazake Dry Shake before fishing > it again. > > Kent Lufkin > > >Hello fellow fly fishers, > > > >For several years now, I have been using WaterShed "permanent waterproofing > >liquid" for all my dry flies. It is applied at least 24 hours before > >fishing. It's supposed to be permanent, but I find I must still recondition > >the fly after hooking a fish. So in my opinion, it doesn't live up to > >its billing, but does work well on the fly until then. > > > >But my real question to the list is this: have any of you used > >WaterShed on weighted nymphs? > > > >I've read where this will trap gas bubbles in the dubbing of the > >nymphs and > >give them an appetizing look. I've tied up a bunch of my favorite beadhead > >nymphs (zugbugs and black hare's ears, etc.) and given them the > >WaterShed treatment. It's always fun to experiment, eh? > > > >Anyone tried this? > > > >Fish on, my friend. > >Danny McMillin > >
