Cab-0-Sil Advice ??

Inspired by the several posts on the merits of Cabot's Cab-0-Sil
TS720, I ordered a quart.

Now my question is, what the hell do I do with it? I've never used
Frog's Fanny.

I got the impression it's "painted" on the fly with a brush. Correct?
Does some of it actually stick to the fly, even being cast a number of
times?

Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?

Does the fly have to be re-treated after catching a fish? If so, does
one have to carry the hydrophilic version as well, for drying flies?

Is it used the same way on nymphs?

Thanks. vince

"vincent p. norris" wrote in message
...
Inspired by the several posts on the merits of Cabot's Cab-0-Sil
TS720, I ordered a quart.

Now my question is, what the hell do I do with it? I've never used
Frog's Fanny.

I got the impression it's "painted" on the fly with a brush. Correct?
Does some of it actually stick to the fly, even being cast a number of
times?

The treatment will actually push the water out of the fly and then keep in
dry for an extended amount of time. Eventually, you will need to re-treat,
either after a fish or two, or many casts.


Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?

I use an old Frog's Fanny bottle, but I like the question cause my brush is
getting worn out. nyone have a source for the bottle w/brush?



Is it used the same way on nymphs?
Never used it on a nymphs, but again, like that question. Is there a
practical use on nymphs?

Thanks. vince

Mike

vincent p. norris wrote:
Inspired by the several posts on the merits of Cabot's Cab-0-Sil
TS720, I ordered a quart.

Now my question is, what the hell do I do with it? I've never used
Frog's Fanny.

Frog's Fanny comes with a brush and I think that's a big part of the method.
The powder is forced into the dubbing with the brush so it gets carried by
the fly longer. With FF you open the bottle, pull out the brush,
immediately lose 1/4 of the contents, then brush the fly vigorously. If the
fly is wet, you need to squeeze/wick out as much water as possible with a
cotton shirt sleeve, your bandana, or an amadou (or similar) first. This is
definitely one of the things a synthetic shirt is no good for (aso wiping
your glasses!)

I got the impression it's "painted" on the fly with a brush. Correct?
Does some of it actually stick to the fly, even being cast a number of
times?

Not really painted. You should work the powder into the fly.

Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?

I'm not sure who mentioned this (Willi?) but am empty 'white out' bottle is
a good choice for a container. However, due to the overwhelming use of
computers to print documents, I think that stuff is used very little these
days so finding a supply of empties is problematic. Staples sells the stuff
for $.99 so it's not too big a deal to buy one just for the bottle. Make
sure you get the kind with the brush - a lot of it comes with a new and
improved foam applicator. I'm going to buy a bunch for distributing my
excess to friends. Of course, an unethical person might liberate a bottle
or two from their workplace.

Does the fly have to be re-treated after catching a fish? If so, does
one have to carry the hydrophilic version as well, for drying flies?

Yes, you definitely need to retreat after catching a fish. Rinse it off,
wick it as dry as possible, and brush it. In my experience, once the fly
has become waterlogged it's going to be necessary to treat it regularly.
Depends on the materials and the innate floatability/waterproofness of the
fly. Even though the stuff is hydrophobic, it seems to do some drying too.
That could be because of the large surface area of the crystals, of maybe
some remains hydrophilic after the treatment with the hydrophobic coating
(or whatever they do to it).

Is it used the same way on nymphs?

Same technique, except: I blow the excess off my dry flies, and leave the
excess clinging to nymphs. Others might do differently.

Thanks. vince

If you use Usuals you will love this stuff. I've been using it for 5 or 6
years and mostly use it on showshoe hare flies. I haven't tried to use it
on nymphs much because I don't do a lot of nymphing.
--
Stan Gula
http://gula.org/roffswaps

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 22:21:09 -0400, vincent p. norris
wrote:

Inspired by the several posts on the merits of Cabot's Cab-0-Sil
TS720, I ordered a quart.

HOLY... Well, at least you'll not need to order any more...

Now my question is, what the hell do I do with it? I've never used
Frog's Fanny.

It's a good thing no one was pimping the merits of a herd of
elephants...your digs would be in a real state...

I got the impression it's "painted" on the fly with a brush. Correct?
Does some of it actually stick to the fly, even being cast a number of
times?

Yes, and sorta-yes. You're not putting a bottom job on the fly, so more
"paint" is not better. If your fly looks like it's ready to be paneed,
that's too much.

Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?

Yes.

Does the fly have to be re-treated after catching a fish?

Maybe, but probably not.

If so, does one have to carry the hydrophilic version as well, for drying flies?

No, no, and hell no - don't carry it, use it, or otherwise think about
it. Wetting down your fly and dredging it in dry cement would work
about as well...maybe better. The differing versions is the whole
reason some folks report problems with "Cab-o-sil" (the Cabot product or
similar) and others like it.

Is it used the same way on nymphs?

Yes.

Thanks. vince

You're welcome. R

PS - if you spill the quart, sweep it up, don't vacuum it up...

"vincent p. norris" wrote in message
...

...Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?...

What you're looking for is something like this:

http://www.andonbrush.com/industry.htm

A Google search on "bottlecap applicators" will doubtless turn up many other
hits. The problem will be finding a retail vendor willing to sell and ship
a single bottle worth a dollar or less. Your best bet is probably to go to
a fly shop and buy a bottle of the original Frog's Fanny product, and then
refill with the cheap stuff.

Wolfgang

vincent p. norris wrote:
Inspired by the several posts on the merits of Cabot's Cab-0-Sil
TS720, I ordered a quart.

So did I. :-)

snip

Is it possible to buy a pocket-size bottle with built-in brush, for
carrying in the vest?

What I do, is use a old, used up bottle of Loon Top Ride. This product
has small desiccant crystals, along with a Frog's Fanny/Cab-o-Sil type
product. I just recharge the bottle with TS720, and it's ready to go.
Pop the fly in the bottle and give it a good shake. The crystals work
the powder into the fly, and supposedly help dry the fly too. If you
don't want to buy a bottle of Top Ride, use a film canister. Scrounge up
some of those little desiccant packets you find while ripping open boxes
of kid's toys, or even in some food packaging. The desiccant is very
similar, if not the same as what's in Top Ride.

Does the fly have to be re-treated after catching a fish? If so, does
one have to carry the hydrophilic version as well, for drying flies?

Rinse as much fish slime off the fly as possible. I try and cast as much
water out of the fly as I can....and I might dry it off with my shirt.
At some point, the fish slime, water and Cab-O-Sil will combine into one
crusty mess. This is usually after several fish. If you're diligent to
rinse, dry, and treat, the fly will float about 10 times longer than
without treating.

Is it used the same way on nymphs?

I have not tried it on nymphs yet.

HTH

brians

Thanks again for all the good advice.

vince

vincent p. norris wrote:
Thanks again for all the good advice.

vince

Vince,

Where did you purchase the Cab-o-Sil? Directly from Cabot? I have been
looking for a retail outlet for small quantities, (quart or gallon),
but the best I found was an archery supply house which sells the stuff
for about 1/4 the price of Frog's Fanny, but in very small quantities.

George Adams wrote:
Where did you purchase the Cab-o-Sil? Directly from Cabot?

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/2_fillers.html

Try these guys - they sell hydrophobic Aerosil - Cab-o-sil's competitor
(maybe the originators?). It's very cool stuff - definitely want to use
gloves when handling large quantities - it waterproofed my hands. When my
order came in I tested it by brushing some into a beadhead nymph (size 14
teeko bug) and the damned thing floated all day. When I submerged it, it
had the coolest air bubble around the fly.
--
Stan Gula
http://gula.org/roffswaps

Stan Gula wrote:

When my
order came in I tested it by brushing some into a beadhead nymph (size 14
teeko bug) and the damned thing floated all day. When I submerged it, it
had the coolest air bubble around the fly.

Better use one extra #4 split shot. :-)

BTW, my spellchecker wants to change your name to gulag. :-)

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