The rod builders epoxy will not yellow as easily so long as it's properly mixed. The 5 minute epoxy is better for building up bodies on sand eels where the epoxy itself is most of the bulk. For coating heads, crease flies, and the 5-min bodies I like to use the rod builders epoxy. This stuff also has a much longer pot life than the 5min.
Make sure the proportions are correct, syringes are great for this if your mixing small batches.
Mix for at least 1 minute - 2 is better, I mix in a small plastic cup over the lamp at the tying bench, the heated epoxy mixes much better and creates less bubbles. When mixing don't whip it like you're making an omlette, mix slowly.
after mixing put the epoxy on some tin foil this extends the time before setting and gets rid of some of the bubbles.
Phil, there is no 5 minute epoxy that does not yellow. If you simply coat the epoxy with Hard as Hull or Hard as nails it will hinder the yellowing so what, but unless you are using the flies for display it really does not matter. It will not effect the flys effectiveness, and besides, the useful life of the fly is usually short.
I find by keeping my epoxies in an opaque foam box they last a lot longer before yellowing - like a couple of seasons. The box keeps the sun out which may help.
I have been using the Pacer 5 min. epoxy which I like. The stuff becomes much more viscous and easy to work with if you soak the bottles in a cup of very hot tap water for 5 minutes before using.
I find by keeping my epoxies in an opaque foam box they last a lot longer before yellowing - like a couple of seasons. The box keeps the sun out which may help.
True, but if you get 4 seasons out of an epoxy fly, your doing good. 3 seasons ago when I was on a surf candy tying binge I tied dozens of dozens of the prettiest epoxies. Now they`re all turning to junk.
Slinger
I just logged in here to ask about non-yellowing epoxy. Our Freshwater drum here in MI love decievers and I tie mine with an epoxy head and 3D eyes. Guess I'll keep tossing the yellow headed ones.
HUMM, Ive kept my epoxy flys in plastic boxs, in my bag, in my truck, in the heat, an cold from SPRING to FALL,thats how long it take them to turn.
guess if you want to fish them, use them. keeping them inside,should last quite a while nice an CLEAR.
GOOD LUCK GOOD TYIN
Last months issue of fly tier had an article about tying featherheads,the authers name excapes me now,but he discribed using a epoxy substitute made of house hold goop and paint thinner (toluene).The mixture is 3 parts goop and one part thinner,mix them in a small glass jar ,it should look simular to 5-min. epoxy,you can add more goop or thinner to make it more to your liking.When you first mix it ,it wiil be full of air bubbles and look cloudy,let it stand over night the bubbles will work their way up and out and and it will be clear.You work it just like epoxy ,it appears to dry from the outside in.The best thing is it stays flexable after drying,like clear hard rubber.
Thanks for the input fellas! I don't tie gobs of surf candies. Just use them on the heads of most of the SW flies I tie to hold the eyes. My family hates the smell of 5 min. epoxy. Back to the original question of odor. I need one that is not going to make eveyone run while I'm tying!
toulene is extremely toxic, that's why I use softBody instead of softex. I love tying but it is not worth sitting over a toulene product and breathing that stuff in. Personally, I think this "Clear looking Fly" thing is over rated for catching fish. If you are tying to display or sell flies then that's perhaps another thing. JMO
I agree with John that the yellow will still catch fish.....I think that all of us devoted tyers are faced with the dillemna of actually tying on that hidious looking yellow fly :hihi: .. That being said, I have those days where the fly at the end of my tippet vaguely resembles the initial fly I tied, but there's no way I am taking it off, b/c every other cast is a fish!
So onto my 2cents... If you are tying a surf candy style fly or any fly that requires an epoxy build up in multiple layers, I have found that doing the initial coat with Soft body, to get the shape and profile, then when it dries you can coat with epoxy.
John toluene is toxic,I always use it with plenty of ventilation,what I like most about it is I can tie up a bunch of flies quickly,because there is less set up time with it .I don't have to mix a batch every time I tie, I 'm still using the batch I made over a month ago,and ya can't beat the cost.
Go to a beauty supply place and get "Sunscreen for nails". Its a clear UV screening polish for protecting nails from turning yellow. Works great.
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