Hi Vis

Fly Patterns
1

I haven’t been able to find Hi Vis to use for wings and wing posts. I can use some help. Would I want white or cream? Does it matter?
Bruce

2

Hi, Bruce
Here are a couple of products that are called “Hi-Vis”. I think a lot of the various synthetic winging-material products are pretty similar - some treated with a waterproofing agent, some not. Some are antron, some are poly, etc.
My favorite colors to be able to see are white, red, and black. I think they stand out better from a stream’s background, especially black if you are looking into the sun’s glare on the water. The less competition from similarly colored objects reflecting in the stream, the better - at least for me.
Anyway, here are just a couple:
http://www.troutlet.com/Rumpf-Hi-Vis-Fiber-P1159.aspx
http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=17638

Joe

3

I switched to Congo Hair for wings/posts (also great sub for EP fibers); works as well, lots of colors and a lot cheaper. Flytyer’s Dungeon carries it but be warned, dealing with him can be a challenge, especially if you need it in a hurry. Some times the brighter colors work better, sometimes black or dark dun is the ticket; like Joe says it can depend on the lighting conditions.

Regards,
Scott

4

Joe: Thanks. It’s what I need, but the shipping is outrageous. I guess if I want it I’ll have to bite the bullet.

ScottP: Thanks. I may have some of that Congo Hair from the Dungeon. Is it as visible as Hi Vis on the water?

5

It has been for me for parachute posts and spinner wings. Supposedly treated with some water-shed substance.

Regards,
Scott

6

If Congo Hair is similiar to EP Fibers, then it is not going to be the same as Hi-Vis. Could you use Congo Hair/EP Fibers as a substitute for Hi-Vis? Of course, but one could use any number of other materials as replacement – good old polypropylene for example. Furthermore considering the amount you use in parachute posts, the price really doesn’t come into play because one pack of either would last you a very long time.

Hi Vis has several features that I like and therefore would not bother substituting it for something else. Favorite colors are white, light/medium/dark dun, olive, and black. I usually get mine from either Jimmy’s All Season Angler in Idaho Falls, ID, or from Jack Dennis’ booth at the annual ISE show. Chris Helms has something called “High Vis” in his catalog that may be the same thing, so you might give him a call as well. Your local fly shop should be able to order some as well, so I’d try them first.

Luck.

7

Interesting - curious (not trying to be contentious) as to what properties Hi-Vis has that you find important? I’ve used it, and still have some, but prefer the Congo Hair.

Regards,
Scott

8

Google TCO flyshop West Lawn Pa. they have almost every color

9

I have some hot pink yarn (possibly antron or sub) which I absolutely love for hi-viz posts. Let me know if this interests you, and I will send you some. You just have to comb/pick it out, but it combs out easy. I got it from my gramma a long time ago.

10

I looked at TCO today and yesterday and I can’t find any Hi Vis. Can you send me a link?

Thanks,
Bruce

11

I use the product manufactured by L&L, packaged and labeled as Hi-Vis for all of my wing posts. I use it because it comes in a manageable length and a variety of natural colors which allow me to match the natural as close as I want to. Sorry but I’m not in the high vis-ibility fly camp. While I don’t discount the convenience and effectiveness of orange wing posts on hard to see flies, I want my flies to look as close to the natural as possible regardless of size or my failing eyesight. Besides, I am so used to NOT being able to see my flies that I have adapted to fishing blind.

But that’s me.

That being said, I agree with Joe Billingsley: “I think a lot of the various synthetic winging-material products are pretty similar” . They all should work fine for your needs. About the only synthetic fiber I didn’t like for wing posts is Darlon. It is just too soft IMHO. There is also a product call Neer Hair which is distributed by Hareline that is almost identical in texture to the L&L Hi-Vis except it comes in a long length. I don’t know if it is priced similarly or not but you get more fiber in a package of Neer Hair.

As far as colors go, if you want to see your fly go with something bright like white, orange or yellow although if you are thinking about white, a fishing buddy of mine has stopped using all synthetics for wings and went back to plain old calf hair. He swears it floats better and longer than anything synthetic he has tried.

12

[b]Hi: Do you have a link to the stuff from L & L?

[/b]

13

Last:

I can’t find a link right now but it isn’t something that was hard to find so I’m pretty sure it is available at many fly shops. It comes in a small Zip Loc bag and has a silver label on the bag that says Hi-Vis on it along with the company name, L&L at the bottom of the label.

As with all things fly fishing it’s possible another company now packages the stuff because my supply is at least 3 years old.

I’ll check at my local Cabela’s later today just in case you haven’t found it by the time I get back.

14

hi vis

http://www.flyfishusa.com/fly-tying/antron.htm

http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0036580318696a.shtml?cmCat=perf&rid=0987654321&cm_mmc=Performics-_-CSE-_-GoogleBaseUSA-_-0036580318696a&mr:trackingCode=04DAA4C9-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA

https://nomadanglers.com/estore/index.php/fly-tying/hi-vis-posts-tails-cdc/hi-vis.html

pm me your snail mail address and i’ll send you some white l & l hi vis

15

WADR…

  1. If you’re fishing upstream and staring into the sun, so’s the fish. It’s not going to be able to tell one color from another. Hold a fly up between yourself and a light source…They all look black. Probably the reason why most observers place color after size and shape as a matter of importance.

  2. If you’re parachute is being held up by the calf hair, you’re already sunk.

16

Thanks, Normand. I got tired looking and bought it from Cabelas.
Bruce

17

WADR…

  1. I didn’t say color mattered, it’s just what I prefer to do; besides I never listen to most observers and neither do the fish.

  2. I’ll mention that to my friend since I don’t use calf tail.