Synthetic materials

[Ray Kunz]

For reference purposes has anyone ever composed a list for all the different synthetic materials that are sold these days. It is very obvious that most every distributor will add his own name to something and try to profess its uniqueness. It would seem that this would be a nice contribution for someone with a background in the plastics industry. There was such an article on Antron (nylon rug yarn) a while back that was great.

[Buddy Sanders]

Ray,

It would be nice, but I don't think it's possible.

I'd estimate, and I'm probably on the low side, that there are at least several thousand 'different' synthetic materials out there that have a fly tying application. Many may be the same or similar, but still there are lots of them. Sorting them all out, describing them and listing differences and nuances between similar materials would take years of effort, and once the book was published, it would be obsolete very quickly as new materials come into use.

Just my take on this. Maybe someone will try it. You never know.

Buddy

[Ray Kunz]

Hi Buddy; Here is the article on nylon rug yarn:

Antron

By Mike Hogue

---

Buddy: Here is the article on nylon rug yarns.

In this article I thought I'd discuss a synthetic product which has become a
little confusing. Whether you are a new tyer or an old hat , I'll try to
unravel the topic for you. Antron is one of the most versatile new synthetic
materials fly tyers have available. The "early pioneers" of this
material were Gary La Fontaine and John Betts. Because of its unique texture,
size and shine, this product offers many uses of the fly tier. Antron can be
dubbed,twisted, teased, used for wings, shucks , parachute posts or mixed with
other products such as flash-a-bou for some really interesting bass bug tails.
The problem is that there are or so many products on the market that many tyers
are confused and have no idea what the stuff is or good for. Some of the names
for the product include: Z-lon, Permatron, Darlon, Antron Body Wool, Aunt
Lydia's sparkle yarn, Crinkled Z-lon and so on.



Very simply antron is just a rug yarn. Millions of miles of the product have
manufactured by DuPont for use in carpets. Antron can be found in many places.
Often the cores of mylar piping contain the fibers. A product called Aunt
Lydia's sparkle yarn is sold on small cards by the Wapsi. It is also sold in
bundles at Wal-Mart for around $.85 for a very large package. Still another source
is a mountain throw rug. These are braided kitchen rugs sold at lumber yards
(Mernard's ) for around $2-$3.00. By buying one of these rugs you will have
miles of the stuff. The main thing to look for when buying the product is to
fray the yarn and look for a sparkle texture to it. Antron is typically very
slick, slightly crinkled and has a shine to it.



Antron easily accepts markers and can be colored any shade. To color Antron you
must use a permanent water proof marker that has an alcohol base ink otherwise
the ink will wash out when the fly is used. These markers are sold with such
names as Pantone, Chartpak or Sharpies. To color some yarn simply rub the
marker across the yarn. Now instead of searching for the perfect color just hit
the yarn with whatever marker you like. For a wood duck type flecked wing dot
some cream Antron with a brown marker and separate the fibers by pulling the
ends to uneven lengths. To make a grizzly effect, use a black marker and make
bands across the yarn.



Another use for Antron is in making wings. Instead of searching for the perfect
kip tail simply tie in Antron and cut to any length you desire. In making a
parachute Antron makes the perfect post as it can be cut to any size and can
made thicker or thinner simply by adding or removing material. You can make a
hi-vis wing by adding a center core of orange Antron to your post.To make
wonderful spendt wings for spinners, tie the material in figure 8's across the
shank of the hook. Antron can be added to CDC or deer hair wings to give them
more sparkle. Tying Antron in as a tail makes for a wonderful shuck.Now lets
tie a few flies.

[Byron haugh]

Ray,
How are you familiar with a Hogue? He and I lived in Des Moines at the same time. I knew him well before he moved to the East Coast. We fished together a couple times in NE Iowa.

One thing about what he wrote: Antron doesn't make a very good shuck. It mats when wet. The original, and still best material for shucks is Zelon unless you are putting a little atop your fly's tail and then the matting is not as important as it sits atop stiff hackle barbs. My personal opinion, of course.

[Ray Kunz]

Byron; But when the shuck is in the water won't it "fluff up" immediately?

[Byron haugh]

Ray,
Please explain "fluff up". I'm not sure I follow. Do you know Mike??
Thanks