Floatant

[LigonierA1]

I'd like to try something else, but I bought FF at wholesale due to the volume (ain't nothing better for CDC or reviving a swamped fish slimed fly) and I already own Tim's suggestiong. In fact, I've owned it for 3 years and suspect I'll pass it down to the my grandchildren. Being a childless man of 39 years, this makes a statement. Albolene will last longer than you........

 

[jerseygeorge]

I use FF almost exclusively. Both pre and post slime. I like the way the flies float. I hate taking a hair wing (caddis, emerger, comparadun) and gunking it up with goo. Frequent FF applications help the fly float high and dry. When not using FF I like Aquel by loon. The other day I used aquel in the herl body on a beetle. A better use than FF.

Overall, I never leave home without FF, and I use it first and foremost.

 

[RLeeP]

Here's something I've started doing lately...

I have one of those little combo fly-dryers/leader straighteners that is essentially two small foam pads and a chunk of inner tube cased in a leather thing that flips open. I've found the foam pads are about useless for drying a fly, so I went out and bought a piece of fake chamois cloth at an auto parts store. That's works as slick as goose poop on linoleum as my late Uncle Al used to say.

But I still use the the foam pads.. I rub a pea-szed chunk of silicone Mucelin into the pads. Then, when I get a drenched fly and i'm in a hurry because there are fish working, I just squeeze the fly once quick in between the treated pads.

It's quick and it works really well..

 

[TheDude]

Hi everyone, you may know me from the FFP board. I'm new to this board though. I have been searching for the generic match for Frog's Fanny for a couple years now, because I knew I could probably get it for a fraction of the cost, but I found out that simply "fumed silica" is not the answer. Some types of fumed silica don't work at all. The right stuff is a specific type that was hard to track down. I found it. Here you go, a lifetime supply. Now we can spend our money on other things, like hooks and beer. If only there were a place in PA that sold both...

Shortened Link To eBay Product

 

[Jim]

I am nearly weaned from Gink...thanks to the silica powder sold commercially as Frog's Fanny. A few innovations really solidified the move:

1) I taped a loop of thin cord to the bottle so that I can wear it around the neck; the bottle stays upright while i brush my fly...frees up a hand and i dont dump the stuff;

2) I bought a huge bag of silica powder from a boat building supply company (do a google search for silica powder boat building) for about 16 bucks; I fill my bottle as needed (not to the top because the stuff blows around when pulling out the brush when filled high) and have enough for 30 bottle refills.

3) use it frequently; stop and smell the roses and silica powder (non toxic according to the sheet that came with my order)

Jim

 

[jerseygeorge]

Jim-

Are you convinced the "replacements" are as good as Frogs F? The reason I ask is because a few years ago I used the Orvis powder. It was junk. I am a big fan of FF, and rarely use anything else. I do use Aquel on some fly bodies (works great on peacock herl beetle body). I also use a little Aquel on the leader and fly line tip. But mostly I am a FF guy, and would love to find it cheaper if the quality and effectiveness is the same.

Geo

 

[TheDude]

Yes, the stuff I found that's on eBay must be the exact same stuff. It works just as well, looks the same, feels the same, and I wish I didn't know this, but it tastes the same. The quart is being advertised as 60 refills! That makes sense since the little bottle is half ounce size and it's never totally full anyway. The stuff is a a miracle. So long to $4.50 bottles that last me three outings! Here's a link to it again.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtroutfulQQhtZ-1Quart and Pint size Jars to refill your Frog's Fanny

 

[ginkyhackle]

Guys:

Goo Poo -- I hate letting this out, but you could float a bowling ball with this stuff.

http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=86

Ginky

 

Oddly, I haven't seen an "Amado Patch" mentioned here!?
Like the rubber/leather, leader straighteners, (which can burn and easily ruin a leader, by the way, so I don't recommend their use), the Amado Patch is two pieces of this marvelous real fungus, cemented to two discs of leather, folded like the leader straighteners.
I've never found anything quicker, more absorbent and it leaves no powder or residue on the fly. One, quick, squeeze and the fly is dry again, ready to float!
Dan Bailey's carries these patches and also I've found Amado on the net, in small bulk pieces. So I've taken scrap leather, some "Zap-a-Gap", (make sure it's the waterproof Z-a-G, though!) and made my own, "fold over drying patch" to the exact size I want, with nothing wasted.
I, also, took a strip of Amado and Zapped it to the inside of my leather roll-up. Now, when I removed a streamer/woolybugger, they dry before the hooks can rust, or the hackles dry all matted together!

 

[tabasco_joe]

I use Gink but one problem I have found is that the plastic bottle cracks in cold weather. I think this winter I'll try the Abolene in some other container.