I just got some stuff called Bug Bond last weekend. You have to order it from England though. I like it because it is not tacky when you cure it. I got a uv flashlight from Ebay for 6.95 that works well with it. Bug Bond is an alternative to epoxy. I have never done well with epoxy, and I guess you could consider me “epoxy challenged”. So I was determined to get some of this Bug Bond stuff and give it a go. I need to practice on getting a smooth body though, but these will do. I tried Aleene’s Fabric Fushion, but this is so much better, there is no comparison.
It is close to 40 dollars to get it to Texas. http://www.bug-bond.moonfruit.com/ It is not cheap. 21 UV LED Ultra Violet Black light Flashlight 395 nM BK this is from LED Wholesalers. [COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]product code is [/COLOR][/FONT][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]7305UV395. [/COLOR][/FONT]
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I got the light on Ebay from them. They have a light they sale for I believe it was 60 dollars at Bug Bond, but I tried this light, as I heard someone mentioned it worked for them, and this works for me too. Their light is probably better and will last longer than mine, but I didn’t have much to spend, and this allowed me to get it and try it. But not to have to mess with epoxy and all made the price worth it. You must use sunglasses with the flashlight, a good pair too. But it allowed me to make some flies I have wanted to tie for a while now…a sort of surf candy for warm water. I thought the LMB, hybrid stripers, and stripers would go after these flies. I tied some of these flies with costume wig hair(the bottom 3 photos), in case someone wondered about that. Bug Bond needs to be kept out of the light, and it needs a temp in the low forties to high seventies in temperature to store it. I think the stuff is fantastic and it is a pleasure to add this to my fly tying arsenal.
I guess I should add that I love the product, but am not associated with Bug Bond in any way. I know there are other good products out there, I just wanted something I didn’t have to mess with too much, that was clear, and cured fast. Bug Bond fits the bill for me.
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The light makes it cure very fast…I’d say 3-5 seconds or so depending on how thick you have it on there. These flies are supposed to be a young fish, not really a bait fish pattern. The red and yellow one I just call an attractor pattern. They may not catch many fish, but who knows till ya try it out. This is just something I wanted to try. The pink and green flies are meant to be a trout imitation mostly. I fish at a lake that stocks rainbow trout that are small in the winter. The bass snack on them. I thought the color combo might make some of those big boys want to have a taste test on my fly…time will tell.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=111622588859628 Here is the Facebook link. You can read there, and contact Mr. Edwards about any more questions that I could not help you with. He will get with you and discuss any questions you have.
Very nice. I’ve been playing with Loon UV Knot Sense and, as you mentioned, if you build too heavy you get a sticky film when it’s cured. However, I’ve found a cotton swab and a little nail polish remover takes care of the film. Still, I might have to look into this stuff if it removes a step from the process. Thanks for sharing your find. Again, really nice flies.
Thanks. Yes, the Bug Bond cures non-tacky, which is the reason it puts it ahead of it’s class in my opinion. I believe the others will come out with a non-tacky form soon though.
I should add that while the Bug Bond light that Bug Bond sells may be more expensive, it is tested and uses the less uv light, that is needed to get the job done. The one I bought very well may use more uv light than needed, I do not know about that for sure. In the future I may just buy the Bug Bond light, and use the one I have for a back up…I would like to know more from LED Wholesalers, but I am sorry I cannot tell you more concerning that. David says that most sunglasses are fine, and the yellow tinted ones are ideal. I just use some Fit Over sunglasses I wear fishing. They are the best sunglasses I have, but they are dark colored lenses.
On a similar products website they say the tackiness after curing is to help with bonding when applying a multiple layers. Have you tried adding more epoxy after curing the first application? They suggest just coating the tacky surface with clear nail polish when you are done building the body which seems like an acceptable second step to me if it allows you to build up the body in stages but thats just personal preference of course.
You can add a layer, cure, add a layer if you want to build up like a surf candy. That will keep the material from sagging. I do not want to put on Sally’s and then wait for it to dry once I have completed the uv product. Any of these products are a personal choice. I just prefer the non-tacky, and the owner is excellent to deal with. He will respond to you in a speedy fashion, and help you any way he can. (I am not saying the others don’t…this is just my experience with David of BB) I am very pleased with this product. I am going to use a paint brush on some more of the heavier applied flies…then I was told you can clean your brush with a non acetone nail polish remover. I have some disposable Flex Coat epoxy brushes, I think they will work just fine. I just have to find the acetone free nail polish remover.
Loon Outdoors, UV Knot sense is the same thing. I use it to bind the weave on the upper loop of my furled leaders. Drys almost instantly with the UV light. Feels very smooth, similar to glass but not as hard. Remains somewhat flexible but will crack if bent. I believe it will stay clear and not yellow like epoxy does over time. Great product - not cheap but worth it.
No, it does not add any more weight than epoxy I don’t think, and it may be a little lighter. I have not worked with epoxy a lot though, I am epoxy challenged.
Some of this stuff you want to spin around and cure like you would thread wraps on a fly rod otherwise you may get drips and stuff, but the light helps a lot.
