On 8 Nov, 15:44, rw wrote:
I tried experimenting with something last year. I work Frog's Fanny
(i.e., hydrophobic Cabosil) into the dubbing of my dropper nymph
(preferably done when I tie them, but it also works after the fact).
This makes the fly buoyant and causes it (I believe) to float above the
weight or above the weighted top nymph. The fish seem to like it, and it
results in fewer snags. Some say that the Frog's Fanny makes bubbles
that imitate a natural.

BTW, I prefer using weight instead of bead-head nymphs.

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

I have not used either Frog´s Fanny, or the fumed silica, but I agree
with waterproofing a lot of nymphs. I generally use watershed on the
dubbing. It can and often does make a very big difference. Of course,
one must then weight the nymphs, or use them on weighted rigs of some
description.

One nymph that works very well indeed for a host of situations is a
pheasant tail/ hare´s ear nymph. The abdomen is pheasant tail, and the
thorax hare´s ear. I put a drop of watershed on the thorax immediately
after dressing the flies. These flies are a lot more buoyant, and
they catch more fish as well. The silvery appearance caused by small
bubbles obviously enhances the fly´s attraction to the fish
considerably, ( I know there is a lot of discussion and controversy
about this).

After some experimentation, I also now have a range of soft hackles
where I waterproof the thorax ( where present) AND the soft hackle
with watershed. When fished as emergers in the film, these catch A
LOT! more fish, and they also work better when used on various
weighted rigs. A couple of hair hackles I use are also a lot more
effective after this treatment. This is one which has been very very
successful indeed;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on..._squirrel.html

TL
MC