I was reading the thread about a Gink subsitute and how it is the same as Aboline which is a cosmetic.
It reminded that a guide a few years ago told me he used some kind of ammo reloading substance because it was the same as Frogs Fanny but much less expensive. He told me he bought it by the pound.
I can’t remember what he told me it was. Does anyone know?
Thank you.
It’s called Fletch Dry. It’s sold at any archery shop. They use it to dry wet feathers(fletch) on their arrows. You get a big bottle for $5. You can fill the frog’s fanny bottle a zillion times with it.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?c=50&s=46&p=250&i=5086
I’d be curious to hear as well, I’ve got a serious FF habit.
Arrow fletching powder is supposed to work, and something that boat builders put into epoxy is supposed to work…I bought some back when I first learned of it a few years go but off the top of my head can’t recall the substance…anhydrous silicate maybe? I probably have that wrong. At any rate, I’ve tried several of these over the years and didn’t find them as effective as FF. I’m sure there’s something out there to do the job, however, and I’d love to hear about it.
Another good substitute is Hydrophobic fumed silica. I’ve been using it for a couple of years and I like it.
THAT’S the stuff I was trying to recall. Didn’t seem to work as well for me, needed to reapply ALOT. Perhaps I should revisit this…
Frogs Fanny is a great product, comes in a handy small bottle with a brush applicator.
For the same price you can get a quart sized container of ‘Fletch Dry’ at Cabela’s or any shop that sell archery supplies. Used to keep feather fletchings dry and pretty.
Or you can get it even cheaper in gallon size containers as ‘hydrophobic fumed silica’ used in the boat building industry as an epoxy filler.
Or extra cheap in 50 gallon drums, used in the material transport industry. It prevents dry powdery stuff like paint pigements from clumping so it can flow through pipes.
I decided the gallon size would set me up for life. Here is a link to a supplier… make sure you are getting ‘hydrophibic’ stuff, the other forms of fumed silica don’t float!
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/2_fillers.html
Also works to recharge the Shimazi Dry Shake type floatants, the crystals are a desicant that absorb water, the powdery stuff is hydrophibic fumed silica. Just squirt a little into an old bottle of crystals and it works like new.
I understand the cost of packaging of this extremely fine powder is what makes FF so expensive
industy. I am a chemist that makes gel coat and fiberglass resins for boatbuilding. The best thing you can use is a 50/50 blend of hydrophobic fumed silica / hydrophilic precipated silica. The hydrophilic (water loving) will absorb the water already on the fly and the hydrophpobic (water repelling) will coat it to float well. It also works great on nymphs. It holds air bubbles on the fly making it look very realistic. Use a wide mouth bottle and drop the fly into the bottle while its still attached to tippet, cover with your hand and shake…comes out ready to go!!
And yes- I cannot imagine the job of putting this stuff in frogs fanny bottles, must be expensive and time consuming. We used this stuff in 20# & 350# bulk bags (needless to say, I have a lifetime supply:mrgreen:)
Brannon
That sounds like fly shop rational to me. The flyfishing community’s willingness to overpay for everything is more likely the reason. 
Refill your empty Frog Fanny bottles with the substitute of your choice and use an old turkey baster. I’ve been using one for years and it takes about…
…a second?
Maybe the FF folks are using an eyedropper? :rolleyes:
BTW - I wear goggles and a respirator when refilling my bottles. Despite a less than terrifying MSDS for most substitutes; it’s a good idea to keep the stuff out of your eyes and avoid breathing it in. There will be a LOT more in the air when you refill than when you apply it to a fly.
Have fun!
here is a link to the FF substitute.
I have been on the same 1/4 pound bag from epoxyproducts for about 3 years now. At $6.75 including delivery i don’t think theres a reason to go back to the double f.:tieone:
Just for kicks … anyone have any empty frogs fanny bottles they would be willing to part with? 
Here’s my solution for refilling the empty bottles with the bulk Fumed Silica.
First - get a suitable jar. Doesn’t matter the size. Can be as small as a baby food jar or as big as a Mayo or pickle jar, as long as it has a good metal lid.
Next, drill a 3/8" hole in the lid.
Find an old fridge magnet big enough to cover the lid and keep the fumed silica from coming out of the storage jar, cut to fit in necessary.
To refill the bottles, remove the cap with the brush applicator and set it aside. Remove the magnet covering the hole in the bulk storage jar. Place the empty bottle over the hole in bulk storage jar and turn both upside down and gently shake until Fumed Silica fills the empty bottle about 3/4 full. Turn both the bottle and the storage jar on their sides and tilt them both upright at the same time.
It’s been working for me for a couple of years. If you have a better system I’m open to suggestion and improvement. You lose a little but so far it’s the best method I’ve come up with for refilling the small bottles.
Thanks Joe. That is brilliant!
You really have to try a turkey baster.
Hello Brannon,
Kengore provided a source for the hydrophobic fumed silica.
Do you have a source for the hydrophilic precipated silica? Or both for ordering convenience?
Sounds like the 50/50 mixture is the ticket.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Richard in Plano TX
Lots of consumer goods come with a dessicant pack (little white envelope labeled ‘DO NOT EAT’ ) These crystals work well with the hydrophibic fumed silica to absorb excess water. I have also heard of folks who just add a small amount of uncooked rice to the fumed silica for the same effect.
note: some food items have a small pack that is an oxygen absorber (prevents discoloring) To my knowledge, these don’t have any fishing application.
I send you a PM.
Well, I’ve had several PM’s. I reckon I’ll share my secrets. Actually I don?t mind @ all:
Three Hydrophilic Fumed Silica Suppliers & products - all three are very similar products just different brands
Degussa: Aerosil 200HV
Cabot: Cab-o-sil HP-60
Wacker: HDK-N20
Two Hydrophilic Precipitated Silica Suppliers and products - both are very similar products just different brands
Degussa: Sipernate 22LS
Huber: Zeothix 265
Two Hydophobic Fumed Silicas Suppliers and products - both are very similar products just different brands
Degussa: Aerosil R208
Cabot: Cab-o-sil TS-720
Blend one part Hydrophobic to one part hydrophilic for the best dryer / floatant. Precipated silicas are a little heaver and will not “dust” as much as the fumed ones (I prefer to use precipated hydrophilics instead of fumed hydrophilics) Or use two different containers, one to dry, one to float. Hydrophobic floats them, Hydrophilic dries them. This stuff works GREAT with CDC!!!
If you use my recipe to make millions, please send me new fly outfit per year for life!!! To keep me quite.:D:D:)
Please be careful with the stuff. Its not poison per say (its actually used in many foods as thickeners) but breathing the dust will definitely irritate your lungs like any fine powder will. It will also dry you skin. I really like the idea of the turkey baster!!! GREAT Idea, wish I had thought of that!!! You may notice some clumps if you get a sample. Don?t worry, the material is not bad. They pack the stuff very tight in bags and it sometime causes clumping, Just break apart the clumps and carry on.
Hope this helps
Brannon
bspitt,
Thanks for posting the receipe and source for the products.
This board is a great place for hard to find information from good people.