Over the years, I like many others,
have tried all sorts of head cements
and fixatives to prepare wing cases
for nymphs etc. I finally found one
that beats them all and was probably
known long ago by everyone but me.
The magic stuff is contact cement that is
used to attach Formica Kitchen counter
tops. It's a hardware store item available
in 2 ounce bottles that I dilute a little
with lacquer thinner (acetone or nail polish
remover). This super rubberlike adhesive
can be dabbed onto any feather to make it
bulletproof.
Just apply a little and stroke it down along
the feather allowing the feather to get much
narrower. I've even used dyed hen hackles
to make wingcases that are easier to tie in
because they are thinner and less likely to
split because the fibers are finer. I tie
them in with the "quill" attached as a backbone.
The bring I usually use is Pliobond.
~ Ray Kunz
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the Bulletin Board, here at FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them to
publisher@flyanglersonline.com
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