"Mike Connor" wrote:

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


Thanks Mike. I'm going to try rdean's idea with the charcoal. I'm a bit
concerned that the Vinegar might effect the dyes.

I wonder about disturbing fish 30 feet downstream. It's awfully hard to be
silent, and impossible to avoid stirring silt off the bottom. Off hand I'd put
scent below those unless I knew more about the wader. ;-)

I know what you mean about the scent disipating on it's own, but I was
overenthusiastic years ago when I put the mothballs in this box, and it's
really a strong smell. A smart guy in my position would have thrown the old
stuff away years ago, recognizing that there's nothing of great value there.

Chas
remove fly fish to e mail directly