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Teabag Wings
Perhaps 2-4 years ago there was a post wherein teabags were used for the wings of dry flies. The poster made the point of stating that he was using UK tea bags, which are made from a material different from that used in American teabags. I went found some British teabags in the international aisle at a local store and bought a box. They are a good bit more expensive than what I am used to, but the tea is MUCH better and the teabags seem to be made from a different material.
I had to post an entire paragraph to set up my question. What, if anything, is done to treat the now-empty tea bags before cutting them and tying them in as mayfly wings? Thanks in advance. (Yes, the tea has been removed.)
Ed
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They are usually treated first.
Remember the Tyvek rage for wings back in the mid-90's??
Tiers were driving around to construction sites to pick up discarded Tyvek sheets. LOL
I read that Italian tea bags are the best....back to the store Ed!
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=268
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=54639
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Ed,
I can't speak to the use of teabags, domestic or imported, but something that works well is a used laundry static/softener sheet. Stretch it over a jar and lock it down with a rubber band. Then spray it with lacquer, hair spray, or similar. Don't overdo it. Then cut, burn to shape or attach feather and cut or burn.
Allan
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You can use 3M waterproof packaging tape in the same way. Another way would be to use panty house in the same way that Allan uses laundry sheets.
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A really effective modern way to use any of those materials is to just coat what will be the insides with Diamond Flex. A flexible UV resin. The biggest advantage of doing this is speed. Coat, zap, cut out, and tie in. Non of the waiting around for adhesives to dry. Another great thing is that it doesn't add any bulk, that makes it easier to tie small.
I've tried the packing tape method, no matter how waterproof the makers claim there tape is it isn't waterproof enough for flies.
At least you have found a use for tea bags, other than making perfectly good water unpalatable.
Cheers,
A.
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AlanB,
As a very small child, I was raised on strong, black, hot tea in lieu of excessive amounts hot chocolate. I still like hot tea and I find the British teabags to produce a very good cup. Actually, I get about three very good cups and a very passable cup out of each teabag. ;)
I am, of course, a bit surprised you don't care for tea. Perhaps coffee or hot chocolate are more to your taste.
You might be surprised to learn that in some of the very swampy parts of the South (SE US) that locals of long lineage will drink at least a cup of "black water" every day for their health. Black water is water stained by tannins and other exudates from the trees and other plants, but NOT muddy. The water is very acidic, of course. I wonder if this would be akin to drinking water from a peat bog. Those who claim to follow this regimen claim to scoop up a cup straight from their favorite bog and drink it. I have heard that some claim it as a sovereign preventative for malaria. I am leery of giving their libation a try and certainly wouldn't count on it curing me of much other than my appetite. I'll stick with tea.
BTW, black tea with a half of a Calamondin orange http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamondin squeezed then dropped into it far better than adding lemon. remove the pips and eat the orange, peel and all, after drinking the tea.
I may just use the teabags for bodies, ribbed to provide some durability. I like the tea. :)
If you were familiar with Nashville water (lots of chlorine and fluorine) you would probably prefer tea...
Regards,
Ed
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My Wife drinks green tea and the bags come a nice mottled olive-tan color and i have had no problems leaving them untreated and just using a wing burner
G
