Fly Floatant
 

The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)

Fly Floatant
 

Goat wrote:
The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)

Making floatant yourself is a waste of time. Albolene (a skin
moisturizing cleanser, available in any large drugstore) is the same as
Gink-like floatants, at a tiny fraction of the cost. Frog's Fanny-type
dessicant is the same as some stuff used in fiberglass fabrication, but
I don't remember what it's called because Willi gave me 10-year supply.
It's REALLY cheap. Snoop?

The next time you're in the big city you can buy a lifetime's supply of
each for maybe $20.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Fly Floatant
 

From: rw

Frog's Fanny-type
dessicant is the same as some stuff used in fiberglass fabrication, but
I don't remember what it's called because Willi gave me 10-year supply.

Cab-o-Sil. Fumed silica. Available from aircraft and boat supply houses. Got
mine from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft, IIRC.
Cost is about 12 bucks a gallon, which should be a lifetime supply.

As rw said, Albolene is available at nearly all drug stores for about 12 bucks
for a large jar, so for 25 bucks you can outfit yourself with a lifetime supply
of floatants.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

Another possiblilty is "Hydostop". this is a liquid that you immerse your
fly in for 5 minutes, and let it dy overnight. You can make your own by
dissolving some candle wax in lighter fluid. It doesn't take much was. If
you get too much, the fly will be sticky. Just add move lighter fluid to
thin

--


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"Goat" wrote in message
...
The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)

Fly Floatant
 

On 21 Aug 2004 17:02:36 GMT, ojunk (George Adams)
wrote:

From: rw

Frog's Fanny-type
dessicant is the same as some stuff used in fiberglass fabrication, but
I don't remember what it's called because Willi gave me 10-year supply.

Cab-o-Sil. Fumed silica. Available from aircraft and boat supply houses. Got
mine from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft, IIRC.
Cost is about 12 bucks a gallon, which should be a lifetime supply.

As rw said, Albolene is available at nearly all drug stores for about 12 bucks
for a large jar, so for 25 bucks you can outfit yourself with a lifetime supply
of floatants.

And since you'll need something to carry it in astream (well, unless
you're going to try to reverse the minimalist thang and carry the whole
bottle of Albolene), might I suggest a bottle of Gink, direct from the
source, if it is still available that way (the site is, or was, still
up). And before anyone has apoplexy (well, Ken and Mark, go ahead...),
here's how I figure it:

George (Gehrke, not Adams) was, well, Ginkles, but all the same, he was
a ROFFian, and he may have been a lot of things, but he wasn't a
quitter, and he sure as hell was a part of FFing history. And truth be
told, as I've said before, I kinda miss the crazy old son of a bitch -
sort of ROFF's own G. L. Herter-meets-H.L. Meinken-meets-Bulwinkle J.
Moose.

But that said, I have no idea if Gladys _needs_ the money (it's none of
my business either way), but I can't imagine it would hurt her, and from
all accounts, she is a nice lady. And if you are among those inclined
to think George really was all that bad, then think of it as her
deserving some business for having had to put up with him (I don't
subscribe to that, but...).

As always, YMMV...

TC,
R

Fly Floatant
 

wrote:

On 21 Aug 2004 17:02:36 GMT, ojunk (George Adams)
wrote:

And since you'll need something to carry it in astream (well, unless
you're going to try to reverse the minimalist thang and carry the whole
bottle of Albolene), might I suggest a bottle of Gink, direct from the
source, if it is still available that way (the site is, or was, still
up). And before anyone has apoplexy (well, Ken and Mark, go ahead...),
here's how I figure it:

George (Gehrke, not Adams) was, well, Ginkles, but all the same, he was
a ROFFian, and he may have been a lot of things, but he wasn't a
quitter, and he sure as hell was a part of FFing history. And truth be
told, as I've said before, I kinda miss the crazy old son of a bitch -
sort of ROFF's own G. L. Herter-meets-H.L. Meinken-meets-Bulwinkle J.
Moose.

I posted one time that some of George's bombastic posts reminded me of
an old Herter's catalog. When I met George, he remarked to me that he
was surprised that I saw that. It turned out that Herter was George's
childhood "hero" and George strove to base his advertising and
salesmanship from Herter's writings.


But that said, I have no idea if Gladys _needs_ the money (it's none of
my business either way), but I can't imagine it would hurt her, and from
all accounts, she is a nice lady. And if you are among those inclined
to think George really was all that bad, then think of it as her
deserving some business for having had to put up with him (I don't
subscribe to that, but...).

Still use Gink. Haven't found anything better.

Willi

Fly Floatant
 

"George Adams" wrote in

Cab-o-Sil. Fumed silica. Available from aircraft and boat supply houses.
Got
mine from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft, IIRC.
Cost is about 12 bucks a gallon, which should be a lifetime supply.


I'm not convinced that fumed silica, as sold for thickening resins, IS the
same as Frog's Fanny. I bought some from West Marine ( not "cab-o-sil"
brand, but fumed silica sold for same market) and it DOES look just like
Frog's Fanny, and DOES dry a fly just like Frog's Fanny.

BUT, that fly does NOT stay dry nearly as well as with Frog's Fanny.
Someone here on ROFF has said that Frog's Fanny (hereafter referred to as FF
:) is "just a desiccant, not a fly floatant" That is not consistent with
my experience OR the FF label/marketing packaging which clearly promotes
FF's ability to repel water and thus trap air around the fly for nymphing
use.

Indeed, a desiccant absorbs water by definition and any left on the fly (
that white look) would quickly attract water and sink the fly. That is
exactly what I find happens with fumed silica. But NOT what I find with FF,
with it I seldom have a sinking fly until the next fish slimes it.

I carried two bottles this summer for over a month, one "real" FF, the other
a FF bottle filled with fumed silica. I make no claims of good science but
I did try to be random in which I used, honest in my evaluation of the
results. I ended up putting the fumed silica in my shop with the
fiberglass supplies and I now carry nothing but store bought FF. BTW, the
difference between the two is least obvious with CDC where "desiccant" is
the real need, but far more so with other types of materials that need to
not only be dry but need help repelling water to float for long. I'm cheap
and would love to avoid the high price of FF which I also love, but fumed
silica, as I tried it, is not the answer.

YMMV and all other disclaimers apply and, again, "Cab-O-Sil" is not the
brand of fumed silica I tried.

Fly Floatant
 

Still use Gink. Haven't found anything better.


After George died, I threw away my "No Gink" hat and bought a couple of
bottles. I'm sure Gladys can use the business.

Fly Floatant
 

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 20:37:50 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote:


"George Adams" wrote in

Cab-o-Sil. Fumed silica. Available from aircraft and boat supply houses.
Got
mine from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft, IIRC.
Cost is about 12 bucks a gallon, which should be a lifetime supply.


I'm not convinced that fumed silica, as sold for thickening resins, IS the
same as Frog's Fanny.

I thought Frog's Fanny was similar to _hydrophobic_ (treated, oiled,
siliconed, etc.) fumed silica, not regular untreated. I have no idea
which "Cab-o-Sil" is being discussed, so ???. Then there are the toner
product-related types, too. IAC, unless you have the right/same fumed
silica, your mileage WILL vary.

Do a googling on "cabot degussa silica" and you'll probably find enough
to bore you to tears.

HTH,
R

Fly Floatant
 

From: "Larry L"

BUT, that fly does NOT stay dry nearly as well as with Frog's Fanny.

I have used FF and Cab -o- Sil side by side all this season, and see no
difference in performance betewwen the two.Indeed, a desiccant absorbs water
by definition and any left on the fly (
that white look) would quickly attract water and sink the fly. That is
exactly what I find happens with fumed silica. But NOT what I find with FF,

I notice that both leave a white powdery residue on the fly, and several FF
users commented on this in previous posts here. I believe that the first false
cast removes most of the residue.

with it I seldom have a sinking fly until the next fish slimes it.

Same experience here with both, and with the exception of CDC and ostrich herl,
a fly treated with Aab -O- Sil or FF need only be "cleaned" by slapping it on
the water and dried by false casting to restore it to good floating condition.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

George Adams wrote:


Cab-o-Sil. Fumed silica. Available from aircraft and boat supply houses. Got
mine from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft, IIRC.
Cost is about 12 bucks a gallon, which should be a lifetime supply.

As rw said, Albolene is available at nearly all drug stores for about 12 bucks
for a large jar, so for 25 bucks you can outfit yourself with a lifetime supply
of floatants.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Great info and thanks.

Albolene ? who'd a thunk it. This is great for me and no problem to
get. My wife is a Pharmacy Tech. and even gets a discount, and I don't
even have to get off my butt to get it myself, so...win / win I will
surely give it a try.
Now the Cab-o-Sil is not quite so easy to get but I will give it a try
as well. Found some online for $5.20 for 1 gal. The Cab-o-Sil is a
powder correct? Does it protect againt the water saturating the fly or
does it just dry out the flies fibers (or both)

Fly Floatant
 

On 21 Aug 2004 21:28:07 GMT, ojunk (George Adams)
wrote:



I have used FF and Cab -o- Sil side by side all this season...

WHICH Cab-O-Sil? Do you have the container? What does it say?

Fly Floatant
 

wrote in message

I thought Frog's Fanny was similar to _hydrophobic_ (treated, oiled,
siliconed, etc.) fumed silica, not regular untreated. I have no idea
which "Cab-o-Sil" is being discussed, so ???. Then there are the toner
product-related types, too. IAC, unless you have the right/same fumed
silica, your mileage WILL vary.



VERY interesting ... I found a few websites, back when when FF sub was a
topic here, for Cab-O-Sil and read the info about uses etc. I called
around and could not find C-O-S anywhere in this area but did find the
product I bought that listed similar uses and looked right.

a TREATED version of what I bought would be FF, I do believe

I will have to investigate further

Thanks

Fly Floatant
 

"George Adams" wrote

I have used FF and Cab -o- Sil side by side all this season, and see no
difference in performance betewwen the two.

I'd be interested in very specific ordering info ... where, part number,
listed additives, etc

I don't doubt that what you and Willi have works as well as FF, but I know
that just "fumed silica" isn't enough information to guarantee satisfaction

I'd like to try exactly what you are using and bet I'd be pleased.

Fly Floatant
 

"George Adams" wrote

I have used FF and Cab -o- Sil side by side all this season, and see no
difference in performance betewwen the two.

I'd be interested in very specific ordering info ... where, part number,
listed additives, etc

I don't doubt that what you and Willi have works as well as FF, but I know
that just "fumed silica" isn't enough information to guarantee satisfaction

I'd like to try exactly what you are using and bet I'd be pleased.

Fly Floatant
 

From:


WHICH Cab-O-Sil? Do you have the container? What does it say?

Because I didn't think I'd ever need more, I discarded what little information
I had. I can tell you the following:

I ordered from an outfit called Spruce Aircraft from their online catalog.
IIRC, I had to do a search function as Cab -o- Sil wasn't listed. I think
Spruce is in CA. I found them via an internet search .

The only container was a plastic bag with a twist tie. No info in it or on it.
I seem to recall that Cab -o- Sil was described in their online catalog simply
as "fumed silica".


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

From: "Larry L"

I'd be interested in very specific ordering info ... where, part number,
listed additives, etc

Larry, see my reply to R. Dean. Unfortunately, other than the source, I have
very little info, and it is unlikely that Spruce Aircraft would know how Cab
-o- Sil compares to Frog's Fanny.

I got the Cab -o- Sil name from a thread on ROFF sometime late last year, and
simply Googled the name, and came up with Spruce Aircraft as the most likely
source.
If you looked in the archives under Frog's Fanny, Cab o- Sil, or fumed silica,
you might find more info.



George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

From: (Goat)

Now the Cab-o-Sil is not quite so easy to get but I will give it a try
as well. Found some online for $5.20 for 1 gal. The Cab-o-Sil is a
powder correct? Does it protect againt the water saturating the fly or
does it just dry out the flies fibers (or both)

There may be more than one type of Cab -o- Sil. (see Larry L's posts on this
thread) The one I purchased was from Spruce Aircraft, and I think it was more
expensive, but I might be including shipping charges. My memory ain't what it
used to was, and I discarded all the info I had long ago.

In my experience, it dries out the fibers, and also acts as a floatant, but
it's main advantage is as a super dessicant that will dry out delicate fibers
like CDC and ostrich herl. The trick is to work it into the fibers completely
with a brush. You may want to consider purchasing one container of FF to get
the supplied brush.

As rw and Dave L mentioned, you may also need a suitable container for the
Albolene. It wouldn't hurt to buy a bottle of Gink and refill it as needed. As
an aside, I was just looking at a Fly Fisherman magazine from the early
seventies that showed Gink being sold in a small wide mouth jar.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

George, could this be the stuff / site you are refering to? Sounds the
same, bag and all. $5.20
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/cabosil.php


George Adams wrote:

From: "Larry L"

I'd be interested in very specific ordering info ... where, part number,
listed additives, etc

Larry, see my reply to R. Dean. Unfortunately, other than the source, I have
very little info, and it is unlikely that Spruce Aircraft would know how Cab
-o- Sil compares to Frog's Fanny.

I got the Cab -o- Sil name from a thread on ROFF sometime late last year, and
simply Googled the name, and came up with Spruce Aircraft as the most likely
source.
If you looked in the archives under Frog's Fanny, Cab o- Sil, or fumed silica,
you might find more info.



George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

George, could this be the stuff / site you are refering to? Sounds the
same, bag and all. $5.20
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/cabosil.php


George Adams wrote:

From: "Larry L"

I'd be interested in very specific ordering info ... where, part number,
listed additives, etc

Larry, see my reply to R. Dean. Unfortunately, other than the source, I have
very little info, and it is unlikely that Spruce Aircraft would know how Cab
-o- Sil compares to Frog's Fanny.

I got the Cab -o- Sil name from a thread on ROFF sometime late last year, and
simply Googled the name, and came up with Spruce Aircraft as the most likely
source.
If you looked in the archives under Frog's Fanny, Cab o- Sil, or fumed silica,
you might find more info.



George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

"Goat" wrote

George, could this be the stuff / site you are refering to? Sounds the
same, bag and all. $5.20
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/cabosil.php




for $5 I'm going to try it ... that was one site I remember from when I was
looking the first time. I didn't want to get it online if I could find it
local, at that time.

Fly Floatant
 

"George Adams" wrote in message
...
From: (Goat)

Now the Cab-o-Sil is not quite so easy to get but I will give it a try
as well. Found some online for $5.20 for 1 gal. The Cab-o-Sil is a
powder correct? Does it protect againt the water saturating the fly or
does it just dry out the flies fibers (or both)

There may be more than one type of Cab -o- Sil. (see Larry L's posts on
this
thread) The one I purchased was from Spruce Aircraft, and I think it was
more
expensive, but I might be including shipping charges. My memory ain't what
it
used to was, and I discarded all the info I had long ago.

In my experience, it dries out the fibers, and also acts as a floatant,
but
it's main advantage is as a super dessicant that will dry out delicate
fibers
like CDC and ostrich herl. The trick is to work it into the fibers
completely
with a brush. You may want to consider purchasing one container of FF to
get
the supplied brush.
...

I just did a little experiment.

I put about half an ounce of water in a glass pinch bowl and then added a
pinch of Frog's Fanny. The FF floated in clumps of various small sizes.
After stirring vigorously for a couple of minutes, all of the FF was still
floating. Twenty minutes later, all of it is still floating.....or, at
least apparently so. None is visible below the surface. Without chemical
analysis, it's impossible to tell whether or not any has dissolved.......but
I don't think it has. What does this mean? Well, it looks like FF is not a
desiccant, at least in the sense that silica gel or clay (two of the most
widely used desiccants) are. Both clay and silica gel work by absorption.
They are both porous and hydrophilic. That is to say, they readily form
loose bonds with water molecules and have a large available surface area
with which to form many such bonds......they hold a LOT of water. Drop
either of them in water and, even if ground exceedingly fine (like FF) and
they will sink because both are heavier than water AND their hydrophilic
character allows them, even in very small pieces, to break the surface
tension......they sink

FF seems to work by aDsorption, as opposed to aBsorption. Adsorption is
purely a surface phenomenon. FF works because water clings to the surface
and then is brushed off with the excess FF. Drop a saturated fly in a
bottle of FF and you will pull out a saturated fly covered in FF.

Bottom line.......Frog's Fanny is not a desiccant.....nor, it seems, exactly
a floatant either. Or, at least not a floatant like most that we are
familiar with. It doesn't appear to absorb water like desiccants. Thus,
anything that is thoroughly coated with it won't absorb either. But it
doesn't cling to fly tying materials like all of the hydrocarbon based
floatant materials we're used to......and thus, it doesn't last long either.

I did another experiment. I don't know what "fumed" silica is, but I DO
know what silica is. Silica is silicon dioxide.....two oxygen atoms bonded
(very tightly) to one silicon atom. Silicon dioxide is THE most common
substance in the Earth's crust (remember OSiAlFeCaNaKMg?)....rock, sand,
quartz. Silicon dioxide won't burn.....burning is combustion, is
oxidation.....the silicon in silicon dioxide is already as oxidized as it's
ever going to get. I put a liberal shake of FF on a piece of paper towel,
and set fire to the paper. The FF survived, unscathed. Whatever this stuff
is, one simple test confirms that it COULD be silica.

Is there a mineralogist in the house?

Wolfgang
ain't science fun? :)

Fly Floatant
 

Buy a little bottle of silicone water-proofer made for shoes.
Cavalier' is one brand name, available at Walmart. When you finish
tying a batch of dry flies, dip them in it, or paint them with it
using a small brush, and let them dry overnight.

You don't have to mess around with "greasy kid stuff" while on the
stream.

Alternative: Buy a can of Thompson Water seal. Do the above.

vince

Fly Floatant
 

On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 00:50:50 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote:


"Goat" wrote

George, could this be the stuff / site you are refering to? Sounds the
same, bag and all. $5.20
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/cabosil.php




for $5 I'm going to try it ... that was one site I remember from when I was
looking the first time. I didn't want to get it online if I could find it
local, at that time.


If I may offer: Google up Cabot's website, get the product numbers for
the various "Cab-O-Sil" products, and then simply compare what Spruce
has to the Cabot product data. Just make sure it is a
hydrophobic/treated variety, Cabot or otherwise.

HTH,
R

Fly Floatant
 

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 19:51:13 -0500, "Wolfgang" wrote:



Is there a mineralogist in the house?

No, but there IS guy whose family owns a silica mine...hydrophobic
(often treated with silicone oil - like copier oil) fumed silica should
have the properties of FF. The untreated variety should not as it is
hydrophilic. I can't remember where I heard it, but I do remember
hearing that FF is the treated stuff as is used in certain toner
formulations. FWIW, "Cab-O-Sil" isn't a specific product, it is a line
name, with various formulations in the line.

HTH,
R


Wolfgang
ain't science fun? :)

Fly Floatant
 

From:


George, could this be the stuff / site you are refering to? Sounds the
same, bag and all. $5.20
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/cabosil.php

Yes, that's it.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

Hi Goat,

Years ago the old timers mixed paraffin and lighter fluid.

I have seen guides mix the old Red Mucilin paste with lighter fluid to thin
it so they could dunk their flies.

I think you can buy Lanolin Anhydrous at the drug store which is suppose to
be what most paste/crème floatants are made up from.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Goat" wrote in message
...

The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)

Fly Floatant
 

"vincent p. norris" wrote:

Buy a little bottle of silicone water-proofer made for shoes.
Cavalier' is one brand name, available at Walmart. When you finish
tying a batch of dry flies, dip them in it, or paint them with it
using a small brush, and let them dry overnight.

A low cost alternative to Hydrostop..... thanks, Vince.

JR

Fly Floatant
 

"Larry L" wrote:
I'm not convinced that fumed silica, as sold for thickening resins, IS the
same as Frog's Fanny. I bought some from West Marine ( not "cab-o-sil"
brand, but fumed silica sold for same market) and it DOES look just like
Frog's Fanny, and DOES dry a fly just like Frog's Fanny.

BUT, that fly does NOT stay dry nearly as well as with Frog's Fanny.
Someone here on ROFF has said that Frog's Fanny (hereafter referred to as
FF
:) is "just a desiccant, not a fly floatant" That is not consistent
with
my experience OR the FF label/marketing packaging which clearly promotes
FF's ability to repel water and thus trap air around the fly for nymphing
use.

I heartily agree. Willi gave me a zip-lock full of silica gel (having
that laying around the house raised a few eyebrows), and although it works
quite well, it isn't the same as real FF, per Larry's observations.

Fly Floatant
 

Fly Floatant
 

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:29:11 GMT, (Goat) wrote:

The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)


Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?


g.c.

Fly Floatant
 

On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:29:11 GMT, (Goat) wrote:

The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)


Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?


g.c.

Fly Floatant
 

From: George Cleveland

Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

I've been using Albolene for three years, and Cab-O-Sil for one, and have been
happy with both.
The Albolene is a little thicker, when cold, than Gink or Aquel, and I used to
thin it with mineral oil, but I find it works just as well straight from the
jar. A bit of a PIA to refill the bottles, but winter is long up here, so I
have plenty of time.
There is some question as to whether Cab-O-Sil is identical to Frog's Fanny. It
may or may not be, but it works well enough for me.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller

Fly Floatant
 

"George Cleveland" wrote...
On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:29:11 GMT, (Goat) wrote:

The area I live in does not have a flyshop within an hour drive. After
gas or shipping charges from mail order (not to mention the wait)
floatant ends up costing twice as much, but
more than that it is just becoming a pain in the butt.
This leads me to my question.
Does anybody know how I can make my own floatant? Something I can
pick-up at the hardware store or grocery store prehaps?
What did the "old timers" use as floatant in the days before LL Bean?

Thanks

(new to group, so if this is a beaten horse..... Sorry)


Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

I'll confess to the latter. It's strictly a convenience thing. Also, I really
don't use that much floatant during a season, so a single small bottle goes a
long way for me.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Fly Floatant
 

George Cleveland wrote:

Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

I no longer use floatant at all, I use Frog Fanny and an Amadou.
I'm still using the Frog Fanny I bought two years ago but I'm
down to my last Amadou. I've not been able to find genuine Amadou
here in the states. The fly shops sell a synthetic version called
Samadou that doesn't work nearly as well.

--
Ken Fortenberry

Fly Floatant
 

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote...
George Cleveland wrote:

Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

I no longer use floatant at all, I use Frog Fanny and an Amadou.
I'm still using the Frog Fanny I bought two years ago but I'm
down to my last Amadou. I've not been able to find genuine Amadou
here in the states. The fly shops sell a synthetic version called
Samadou that doesn't work nearly as well.

http://tinyurl.com/6gcg6
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Fly Floatant
 

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:46:55 GMT, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:

George Cleveland wrote:

Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

I no longer use floatant at all, I use Frog Fanny and an Amadou.
I'm still using the Frog Fanny I bought two years ago but I'm
down to my last Amadou. I've not been able to find genuine Amadou
here in the states. The fly shops sell a synthetic version called
Samadou that doesn't work nearly as well.
You can order large sheets from this company in Europe.

http://www.petitjean.ch/

g.c.

Fly Floatant
 

George Cleveland wrote:

Okay all you junior chemists here is the pertinent question. How many
of you are actually using Albolene straight out of the jar instead of
plunking down your $3.50 at the counter of the local fly shop/
discount store when your little plastic bottle goes dry?

Yo.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Fly Floatant
 

George Adams wrote:

The Albolene is a little thicker, when cold, than Gink or Aquel, and I used to
thin it with mineral oil, but I find it works just as well straight from the
jar. A bit of a PIA to refill the bottles, but winter is long up here, so I
have plenty of time.

I just melt it in a sauce pan and and pour it into the bottle.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Fly Floatant
 

George Adams wrote:

The Albolene is a little thicker, when cold, than Gink or Aquel, and I used to
thin it with mineral oil, but I find it works just as well straight from the
jar. A bit of a PIA to refill the bottles, but winter is long up here, so I
have plenty of time.

I just melt it in a sauce pan and and pour it into the bottle.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.