Comparing Synthetics

Zelon Antron Hi vis - can any one tell me the difference. Are the same ,that are they all tri lobal? Is their any one that ties compara Duns with Zelon, how do they compar with deer hair???

Thanks
JaD

They are all different but not enougfh for the fish to care. It is in the fishermans mind that it has any effect. I have used them all and they all work and work well at times. Use what you like and be happy with it. I have them all because I tie for a living and have to use what the costumer wants me to use.
As for comparing it whe deer hair. It dosen't compare. They are totality different materails. Good Tying Ron

I'm pretty sure that antron is the only 'tri-lobal' fiber around. The tri-lobal property was popularized by Gary LaFontaine who used antron yarn to tie the famous sparkle pupa pattern. Antron and Zelon are fairly similar with antron being a bit more sparkley. The comparadun uses Zelon for the tailing schuck. It does not replace deer hair in the pattern. You could probably use antron or another systhetic called darlon or probably a few other things for for trailing schucks. Hi-viz is a very crinkley and stiff material that is good for dry fly wings and parachute posts. Lloyd Gonzalez gives some interesting baitfish patterns that use Hi-viz in his book so it has that interesting use too. You could go to Enrico Puglisi's web site to get some baitfish fly recipies that use this kind of material as well. Good luck!

Thank for the reply-flyfshr&RonMT. Fly-Fishing Pressured Water by Lloyd is the reason I'm asking some of thies questions. The Zelon wing replacing the deer hair wing in the comparadun seem like a good idea and would float forever.Lloyd also uses Zelon and Antron for his caddis pupa emergers .

Regards
JaD

hmm, I recently started tying my way through the Gonzalez book (It will take me years at my rate :) ). I really don't recall his using Zelon as a wing material. I'll have to dig into the book some more. However he does make extensive use of poly yarn as a winging material. Poly yarn is yet another synthetic and it is bouyant so it can help float a fly. Poly yarn is different from Zelon, Hi-viz and antron yarn in that respect as none of these is particularly bouyant although Hi-Viz sometimes comes pre-treated with floatant. Poly yarn is also quite inexpensive. I believe you can get a large assortment package from Hook & Hackle for about 4-5 dollars.

Hello flyfshr

On page 104 Lloyd talks about using Zelon for Compara-duns. I believe you can use rainX after you tie the fly, it should float like a cork.

JaD

I just assumed that with all the Hi-Vis and poly yarn that are used in the patterns in the book that the compara-dun pattern was tied with Hi-Viz but if you actually read the text, the pattern calls out Z-Lon. I dug out my Z-Lon packs and my collection of Hi-Viz and holding them side by side I really don't think I can tell them apart. The Hi-Viz is a little more crinkly and the Z-Lon is a little softer but they are so close in appearance that I doubt the fish could ever tell. If I tie my way through page 104 by next fishing season I'll let you know how they work for me.

I knew Gary and I also know business. They are the soul owners of Z-lon so which product do you think they would push? Like I said eariler the fish dosen't care just the people tying the fly. IT'S CALLED HUMAN NATURE. ;) Ron