Albolene Fly Floatant

[supersenior]

My daughter brought me a 12 oz jar back from Buffalo,NY.
(Not available in Canada)
I searched the web in regards to it's use as a fly floatant.
I understand that it can be "thinned" with lighter fluid or naptha gas.
However, my concern is the environmental effect that lighter fluid and naptha gas could have on a stream and possibly my own health.
Can anyone recommend another method to "thin" it out and should I try it as is, out of the jar?

[fishbum]

Don't thin it. Use it just as it is. It will melt on your finger tips. It can also be used on your fly line to keep it floating. I think you can float a lug nut with stuff. I have used it for years. It will help chapped hands in the winter too.

fishbum

[ducksterman]

I knew a quide who thinned it with lighter fluid and used it to refloat slimed flies.

As mentioned it will liquefy from the warmth of your fingers and it will also liquefy hanging on your vest on a hot day...it solidifies when cooled.

[Betty Hiner]

Eeewwww! Use a Wonder Cloth on the slimy flies ... it'll suck the slime right off!! ... then use the Abolene just as it comes!!

[Jeremy]

What these folks said...don't thin it.

I use it for a floatant on my purchased 6/0 thread furled leaders and it works like a charm! It's really good stuff...and I plan on using it for fly floatant as soon as my stash of floatant is gone!

Cheap, bigtime. Nice tub of the stuff. Can't see why everyone doesn't use it.

Jeremy.

[CoachBob]

Albolene is gelatinous in the original container.
To transfer it to another container (like a squeeze bottle) you put the original container in boiling water for a couple of minutes. The Alboline melts to a syrup. It has not been thinned but appears that way.
It can be poured easily and then returnes to the gel state.

[ducksterman]

Where is the misinformation???????

[supersenior]

Thank-you all for your posts!
I'll try it, as is.

[CrookedRiverMike]

I was introduced to its use by guides in Montana. I use it all the time. It will dissolve into a watery substance when it gets warm or you rub it between your fingers before applying to your fly.
Mike

[ohiotuber]

Albolene is gelatinous in the original container.
To transfer it to another container (like a squeeze bottle) you put the original container in boiling water for a couple of minutes. The Alboline melts to a syrup. It has not been thinned but appears that way.
It can be poured easily and then returnes to the gel state.

Interesting & an interesting thread. I have used Mucilin for years & my only gripe is that as it "liquefies" in it's tin, it tends to leak. A small squeeze bottle seems like a great idea, & Albolene is certainly a lower cost alternative to Mucilin.
One question....Does the Albolene tend to leave any "film" in water? I recall Hans W posting about a possible floatant long ago & he posted a picture of an oily film using an alternative to Mucilin. Was that Albolene?
Thanks,
Mike