Z-lon or Antron, whats the difference?

[backbeach]

Can anyone tell me if there is a reason to get Z-lon (as called for in some fly recipes) when I already have most colors of Antron that I use? Is it different in density or something, cause its more expensive and I don't feel like driving to the flyshop just for that.... I'm thinking trailing shucks etc... Thanks, Jim

[billknepp]

a couple dollars is the only real differance I seen...I've found cheaper subs for both at flytyersdungeon.

[lesyoung]

backbeach - some of the Z-lon colors are really cool, vs the standard English Antron colors. Blue Ribbon in W Yellowstone and of course John Betts do a lot of these. Some of it is crinkled, and that give a different effect than the English stuff. The denier (fiber diameter) is also different.

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tl
les

[Crotalus]

my personal opinion is that the z-lon is a little kinkier

but like bill i use a product from fly tyers dungeon called congo hair

[Eight Thumbs]

Backbeach,

Like those who have answered already, I've found the Antron to be a fairly straight fiber and the Z-lon to be a little more crinkled (and perhaps a little finer). I use the two pretty much interchangeably. 8T

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You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it's a real short camping season.




[This message has been edited by Eight Thumbs (edited 21 January 2006).]

[backbeach]

Excellent! I don't think it will effect the usefulness of my flies and I save a trip to the flyshop, where I never seem to be able to just buy what I went in for! I'll save my money for the next show I attend and maybe get a bit more bang for the buck... which may be the Marlboro Ma. show tommorrow if the fishing is a no go... Thank you Again, Jim

Not to confuse the issue even more, but for wings on tiny flies like tricos, try 'Hi Vis'(or is it Viz?).

Allan

[This message has been edited by tyeflies (edited 21 January 2006).]

[herefishy]

Funnily enough, I was just yesterday looking at Blue Ribbon Flies site, and they have an excellent description of the differences if you click on materials, zelon, then the link to the article down on the right side of the page.

[backbeach]

OK Herefishy, Thanks for the link. I guess it wouldn't kill me to get Z-lon in a couple of basic colors I use. I'm reminded of a saying Mom used to use, "A man on a galloping horse would never know the difference", probably not by a trout in a fast current either...but stillwaters, hmmmm...

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"Knowledge is knowing, wisdom is understanding"