"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.