PM Sent.

Joe, I tried sending a PM again see it in my outbox. This was my first PM does a moderator have to OK them?

got it, thanks.

PM sent

Ok, I have
Texasag07, woody, walker, and cek232. I emailed and asked if we could do 2 colors (gold/smoke that BB recommended) to equal 1000 and haven't heard back yet. I will send PM with my email and address will need like from you guys.

I ordered some of the tape and eyes from WTP after this thread was started. Everything came in ok the only thing I didnt like was there shipping was kind of steep. I was going to buy more stuff but the more I added the higher the shipping got and every thing fit in one envelope. It is some nice tape, I just got the regular sheets and stuck two together to make it double sided. Here's my 1st attempt, it may not look just like BB's because I didn't have a computer available to look at his pattern when I tied it.


D.

Do it,
That looks good.
Cutting the tape by hand can get a little tedious if you are doing a lot.
If you add some tail material - tied in at the hook bend - it will help turn the fly over, so it will work hook point up.

Smilin Joe,
Did you get squared away with Ron at WTP for your order ?

Do it, I'm with Billy that looks great.

Billy, yessir I sure did. Order made and I should get my stuff by next week or week after thanks again. Can't wait to tie and try a few. Got 3 others to go in and one other who wants a few so I won't end up with 1000 for myself.

Do It,
Can’t tell from your picture but did you use epoxy to coat that fly or just leave the bare tape?

Woody

WC I used Brush on CCG "non tacky" and to be honest with you I'm not to impressed with it. I was using epoxy then heard how great CCG was so I bit the bullet and bought the kit with the light, thick, thin and tips I wasn't happy with the tackiness and everyone said coat it with Sally Hansen so I did, I didn't like the smell (which takes forever to go away) and if I'm going to that much trouble I might as well use epoxy. Well then I was told they had tack free so I bought that and I'm still not impressed, it still doesn't dry totally tack free and doesn't have the hard slick shiney finish like epoxy.
Ok sorry about the rant, to fully answer your question I used tack free CCG then coated it with SH. Next time I will use Epoxy.
D.

I tied up 150 gold and 50 smoke nano spoons last winter.
A great activity while half-arse watching football games.
They take a total of about 5 minutes apiece -- sure beats $8 / spoon for the store bought models -- and I like the size a lot better.

I like the slow curing epoxy I specified in the previous recipe.

EnviroTex Lite from Environmental Technology Inc.

http://eti-usa.com/envirotex-lite/

With it - I can get about 15 - 20 flies coated and onto the spinning wheel per each epoxy batch mixed.
It stays clear and durable.

Do It,
I chomped on that bullet too and boy did it hurt. I’ve used Loon Outdoors clear fly finish with mixed results. Used the Loon on flashback nymphs and it fell off. Did however use it to coat the head on some barracuda flies and it worked great. It too was tacky but looked great after some Sally Hanson, I also wiped the tackiness off with 70% rubbing alcohol. What I learned is CCG or Loon is a coating and not glue. It works great IF you apply it completely around the fly.

Billy,
The Enviro Tex looks interesting and might have to try it. Price seems reasonable $10.18 for 4 oz. or $1.72 more for 8 oz. at Amazon. I was thinking that jewelers epoxy would also work but it runs about $5.00 for ½ oz. tubes, but Enviro Tex looks to be a better deal. Also nothing better to do during a football game than tie up some flies or build a rod. And a beer.

Woody

So did you guys get your blanks and start tying spoons?
Would like to see the finished products. I'm on call this weekend so while at home I may have some tying sessions between honey dos.
D.

Do it,
We did. Here are a couple I tied up. Used 5 min epoxy on gold and left some streaks. The smoke one was done w/enviro-tek but I need to make a drier as it oozed all over my tail and will likely mess up the action, I don't know. This is my first time tying spoons and will be first time using them as well. What is supposed to be the correct action. I tied a few in different sizes and played w/them in the tub and some sank straight down, some rode hook up and some hook down. Kinda all over the place. Let me know. Thx.

Those are looking good.
The correct "action" is for the fly to ride hook up and have some wobble while sinking on a slack line.
Make sure to use a loop knot or the fly will not act right.

I t is hard to tell from your photos, but it looks like your tail material could be tied a little farther back around the hook bend.
The tail material, and it's direction, helps turn the fly over to ride hook up.
And perhaps put a little more bend in your hook.

A drying wheel is necessary to have the epoxy come out correctly.
I make mine using the rod finish drying motor from Cabelas -- cheap and easy.

Here is the rod drying motor that you can make into a fly drying wheel -- just attach a round foam disc to the motor's axle :

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... l+Products

BB,
Thanks. I really liked the envirotex, it seemed to bring out the colors vs. 5 min epoxy. I ordered a motor from ebay for 15 bucks. Already have the wood to make my stand. I am planning a trip to the coast in October so hopefully will have plenty of spoons to abuse the fishies. In looking at what I tied up I did notice a difference in how far back the tail was tied so you were correct. Will adjust and test again. Thanks again, when I get a chance I want to try these out on the river to see if I get any takers. Have you tried them in fresh water before?

re; Envirotex

As I said earlier -- the Envirotex sets up very slow. So if you are the impatient type of fly tier - it might not be for you.
I like to be able to coat as many flies as I can out of one epoxy batch (about 20), and I don't mind waiting the 24 or so hours for it to set up.
I figure the longer set up time also means the epoxy is stronger. I have found it to be pretty tough stuff though sometimes it does separate from the slick WTP tape. I once caught 27 Drum on one fly before having to change it out for another.

" Have you tried them in fresh water before? "

Nope -- I stick to the salt these days.
There would probably be better colors than gold and black for fresh water.

They look good.
Billy I looked up the envirtex and it looks good but I don't think I have the patience for it, the 5 minute epoxys are to quick so I think I'm gonna try the Z Poxy 30 min. or Z Poxy finishing resin.
Here is a drying wheel I built a few months ago using a battery case, motor and riostat(?) I picked up at radio shack. The total cost was only around $10 - $12, it works great for me but I do like the one you showed as it can be plugged in.

I was actually planning on tying spoons this weekend but had to make an unexpected trip to CC with my Mom going in the hospital.
D.

Hope your Mother is doing well - the hospital is an especially tough deal for the elderly.

The only modification I make to the Cabela's motor is I wire in an on-off switch into the cord.

Thanks Billy, I don't mind the wait. Do it, sorry to hear about your mother. Technology is amazing and she will feel like a new women when/if she gets the pacemaker. I read your other post and it could just be her BP meds ( I was a Critical Care RN ). Hope all is well.
Joe.

Was going to post earlier but couldn’t find my %$@%(*^ card reader. Had to buy a new one. OH well. Tied up a few spoon flies, the upper one looks just like all the rest on the right one tied with red thread and black and gold Krystal flash, the bottom one tied with chartreuse thread but didn’t like the looks so added a few drops of pink fingernail polish to the 30 minute epoxy.
.


Woody