"chas" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
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SNIP

I know you're experienced with this. I have some feathers that have been
in
moth crystals for a long time, and they smell strongly of the stuff. A
few
years ago I tied some wet flies with these feathers and they just wouldn't
catch any fish. I blamed the smell, do you think that makes any sense?
I'm
sure it wouldn't matter in dries, but nymphs, wets, steelhead, and salmon
flies, what do you think?

Thanks

Chas
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I store a large quantity of materials, and a lot of finished flies using
napthalene moth balls. I air flies well before I use them, and with wet
flies I usually use a good dollop of riverside mud to "treat" them before I
use them. I have never noticed any difference in fish catching
capabilities, between these flies and "freshly" tied ones, from untreated
materials.

Napthalene, and Paradichlorbenzene ( The other commonly used crystals), both
sublimate strongly, and any residue disappears pretty quickly when the flies
or materials are aired.

I do think various smells can be detrimental to flies though. I have seen
fish spook thirty yards or more downstream of a wading angler, and I am
convinced because they got his "scent". I would always try to air my flies
well before use. It is not critical with dry flies it seems, as the fish
have not much chance to "smell" them, but I have always avoided dressings
and the like which cause the fly to produce oily rings etc, as I believe
these can indeed be detrimental. I now prefer the modern "hydrostop"
dressings.

TL
MC