old-time floatant(?)

"William Claspy" wrote in message
...
On 7/26/06 4:34 PM, in article
, "Mark67"
wrote:

Back in those days (1980s) I had some type of silicon-based floatant in
my vest that I used fairly regularly. But often as not I would just
dab my finger on my forehead or nose and use that natural oil/grease to
dress my fly. Quicker and easier than digging out the synthetic stuff.
Anybody ever heard of this? I can't remember if I read it in a fly
fishing mag, or if it was something that my grandfather (a master with
rod, leader, and fly) used to do.

I learned in a video about flyfishing in PA recently that trout have an
advanced sense of smell, or that they can detect odors/chemicals in the
water, and that comes into play with food selection. Are floatants
odorless? And, I wonder, was my homegrown method stinking up the fly
with odors (most likely pizza and beer at that time)?

One thing to keep in mind about using the "finger 'longside the nose or
forehead" trick, is that if you applied sunscreen or bug dope earlier in
the
day, you can be sure that the scent of either (or both!) is going to sully
your fly. So be careful from whence you gather your bodily oils!

I just had a gander in Bergman's classic "Trout", first published in 1938.
In the section on dry flies, he describes a home-brew dry fly goo
involving
paraffin wax and gasoline (!).

Bill


That use to be a common way to watterproof a tent. The gasoline was just to
the paraffin into the cotton canvas. After the gasoline evaporated the
tent went from being a two minute fire to a 30 second fire. A tolorable
risk I suppose if your camping in the days before coated nylon and goretex.

"BJConner" wrote in message
news:dgqyg.25$zV6.1@trnddc03...

"William Claspy" wrote in message
...
!

I just had a gander in Bergman's classic "Trout", first published in
1938.
In the section on dry flies, he describes a home-brew dry fly goo
involving
paraffin wax and gasoline (!).

Bill


That use to be a common way to watterproof a tent. The gasoline was just
to the paraffin into the cotton canvas. After the gasoline evaporated
the tent went from being a two minute fire to a 30 second fire. A
tolorable risk I suppose if your camping in the days before coated nylon
and goretex.

Not sure if any of you ride motorcycles, talking about the British ones in
the 50s/60's/70's and remember
the waxedcotton Belstaff Jackets of England...yes the black ones. Gosh do I
miss my BSA Goldstar.
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote

Not sure if any of you ride motorcycles, talking about the British ones in
the 50s/60's/70's and remember
the waxedcotton Belstaff Jackets of England...yes the black ones. Gosh do
I miss my BSA Goldstar.
-tom

i still have a shredded, shrunken old barbour jacket; black, belted,
with bike makers' patches. i wore it for several years during the mid and
late '70's in enduros and cross country dirt bike races.
most fun i've ever had.

yfitons
wayno(yamaha, penton, ktm, bultaco)

On 7/27/06 8:27 PM, in article ,
"vincent p. norris" wrote:

Ick.

I fear I'm too dense to figure out what you mean by "Ick," Bill, but
if you're registering your distaste for "tournaments," I should add
that this tournament made about $50,000 for the local Youth Service
Bureau, which helps kids who need it.

This was its tenth year and all told, it has made something like
$300,000 for that charity.

I think you are underestimating your figuring-out capabilities, Vince! You
hit the nail on the head. I'm happy you are raising money, but...

Ick.

Bill

I fear I'm too dense to figure out what you mean by "Ick," Bill, but
if you're registering your distaste for "tournaments,"......

You hit the nail on the head. I'm happy you are raising money, but...

Ick.

In general I share your feelings about turning a pleasant sport into a
competition. Were it not for charity, I wouldn't participate.

So I won't even mention there's another tournament on the Little J
that makes even more money per year, for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation. ((:-))

vince

"Wayne Harrison" wrote in message
m...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote

Not sure if any of you ride motorcycles, talking about the British ones
in the 50s/60's/70's and remember
the waxedcotton Belstaff Jackets of England...yes the black ones. Gosh
do I miss my BSA Goldstar.
-tom

i still have a shredded, shrunken old barbour jacket; black, belted,
with bike makers' patches. i wore it for several years during the mid and
late '70's in enduros and cross country dirt bike races.
most fun i've ever had.

yfitons
wayno(yamaha, penton, ktm, bultaco)


Wayne, I also went through two Yamaha SR500 singles, always wanted the XT,
or the TT. I made the mistake of washing my Belstaff jacket after 5 years,
and when I took it out of the washing machine it fell apart.
I'm sure you remember Kenny Roberts.
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote

I'm sure you remember Kenny Roberts.

i remember him, yes; but our heroes were motocrossers and woods racers:
roger decoster, bob hannah, the penton brothers...

yfitons
wayno(ah, bob hannah--the human palindrome)

"Wayne Harrison" wrote in message
...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote

I'm sure you remember Kenny Roberts.

i remember him, yes; but our heroes were motocrossers and woods racers:
roger decoster, bob hannah, the penton brothers...

yfitons
wayno(ah, bob hannah--the human palindrome)


My dirt bike hero was Malcolm Smith..."On Any Sunday"
-tom