Mysterious Body material for this fly

All about flies Fly Tying
1

I bought this Livebait Fly/ Flexo Streamer from Orvis and showed it around the Michigan Fly tying expo this past weekend. No vendors can tell me where to get the ‘XXXL Mylar’ listed in the recipe.

Here is the link to the fly pic and recipe:

http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=63R6&dir_id=1236&group_id=1267&cat_id=5454&subcat_id=6527&feature_id=17

Hope the link works since I am new to this board.

Any help on locating this body material (used for saltwater, I think) is much appreciated.

PS: Someone mentioned about Dan Bailey selling mylar sheets, but I don’t think it’s the same.

2

I think the key to that pattern is the E-Z Body tubing. My guess is the E-Z Body Braid/tubing forms the shape of the fly, and the XXXL Mylar tubing is slipped over it. I had, and still might have some of that mylar tubing, somewhere in my tying stuff, but from what I remember it doesn’t have the backbone to hold that shape without support. I’ll have to see if I still have any. There is an XL(1")E-Z Body, 1" tubing that will expand enough for the pattern.
It looks like Orvis carries the E-Z Body Braid, but not the Mylar tubing.
This may be what you’re looking for.
http://www.feather-craft.com/products.a … G&search=1

Otherwise check some sites that deal mainly with salt water materials. I don’t know any off the top of my head but someone else may be able to help you.

3

Yep, the recipe lists EZ Body, which is made with braided monofilament.

4

The recipe details as follows:

Body: XXXL Mylar Tubing
Abdomen: EZ Body Braid

So, it appears the Body is XXXL Mylar Tubing. I don’t see EZ body braid in any abdomen since there is a body and no abdomen (not the red gills right?).

I looked in to EZ body and is Bugsy suggesting the spacing between the weave can only be found in stretching the EX body braid?

The example fly I have has no recovery tension from being stretched. It appears it was never stretched. I don’ think EZ Body braid is the material based on the example I have.

5

EZ Body is an open braid. From the pic, it does appear to be made with EZ Body. The body was most likely made by compressing the braid, not by stretching it. Mylar braid does not have the properties required to make such a body without something to support it underneath. If it ain’t EZ Body, I don’t know what to say other than it wouldn’t be the first recipe Orvis has messed up on their site.

6

Would the braid have a holographic reflection? That’s what’s appear on my sample fly when I change the angle to the sun.

Also, I wonder how they taper it without any rollup or kink. It looks like it was burnt and welded on the top edge (thus dark edges) but I am not sure on the bottom edge (no burnt marks, like drops of glue used there).

7

I’ve tied a fly similar to this using pearlescent mylar tubing - nothing fancy. Tie in the nose, and then tie the tail where it comes together. Then just press the tubing between your fingers to flatten it out and I have never had a problem with them losing their shape. Some guys will actually take a warm iron to them to crease the mylar a little better, but I haven’t found the need. You can adjust the front to back taper of the fly by stretching and scrunching in different places as you are pressing it flat. The dark line (at least that I’ve seen) is permanent marker on the mylar.

8

Thanks all for the responses. The sample fly I have somehow shows it was melted, the black as the result of it.

Here is what E-Z body has said so far to my inquiry:

[i]Dear Mr. Wong,

I reviewed the picture link you sent and do believe that it is our product E-Z BODY being used on the pattern. I can not however guarantee that is because ORVIS has not purchased our products in over 3 years.

It is possible that they are using another similar tubing material.

It is also my opinion that the fly is a copy of Rich Murphy’s RM Flatside being produce by Umpqua Feather Merchants, if so they are using E-Z BODY LARGE/PEARL. [/i]

I have sent a msg to Umpqua asking them to confirm. Their site doesnot let me to view their 1700 flies.

It appears the tube was

  1. Tied in at both front and rear
  2. Creased on the bottom with drops of glue,
  3. Residual material allowed to flow to top edge for stress free (lay flat), trimmed, and burnt to weld top edge (giving black top edge look).
9

http://tinyurl.com/y9awpb

that should be your first link fixed

10

Thanks for the link, hopefully other members can see it and join in the discussion.

11

they might of used a iron to flaten and stretch the myler tubeing and then used epoxy cement on the
inside of the tubeing