I bought a Tuffleye kit about 2 weeks ago and have spent a lot of time playing with it over the past few days. I was HIGHLY skeptical however, this stuff really seems to work great (I have not had a chance to fish the flies I have tied with it yet). If any of you guys are tying with epoxy, you should check into it. I have found the core material to be more like working with regular 5min epoxy, while the finish has a lower viscosity and is perfect for cementing heads in place. They say it will not yellow like epoxy, but we shall see. Is anyone else using this stuff? And if so any tips/ideas yall might have would be appreciated.
2005 1442LW Alumacraft With Camo Clad System
2006 25hp Yamaha Four Stroke
I’ve read a couple of reviews that were postivie but have not tried the new stuff yet. If it does what it says it should be pretty cool! Personally, I’ve not been a huge fan of Epoxy Flies anyway, too messy and way too much work for this lazy ole country boy! Personally, I’d rather use something like Soft Flex or Hard as Hull with a good synthetic material. While you don’t get quite the same look as with Epoxy, most flies will last just as long beside, I can tie a lot more flies with SF or HH in the same time that it takes me to tie just a few Epoxy Flies.
Being able to tie more flies faster and with less waste is the reason I wanted to try this stuff out. I can tie about 5 flies in the time it took me to tie one. I also like the fact that you can get the acrylic just like you want it, hit it with the light and everything is still in place. I used to get so frustrated when I would place fly on a drying wheel only to end up with the epoxy drying in a shifted position when I removed it.
2005 1442LW Alumacraft With Camo Clad System
2006 25hp Yamaha Four Stroke
I bought the kit too to do duprees spoon flies and poppers. I have done the spoon flies, but I have only done one batch (6 flies). I should go play around with it tonight.
I have had some trouble with getting the material to get hard. (no jokes please!!!) You just really have to be patient with the blue light.
I have been VERY pleased with the results. If you are using alot of material, you may have to move the light around, eg. 40 seconds on one spot and then 40 on another spot. I have found that the core material takes a little longer than the finish, but never longer than 40 seconds. If you are using AAAs instead of the power adaptor, you may not be getting a strong enough UV source. I typicaly wipe off the tacky layer with a paper towel and finish with a thin coat of hard as nails. I have not tied any spoon flies with it yet, but next week I should have some extra time and I may give it a go.
2005 1442LW Alumacraft With Camo Clad System
2006 25hp Yamaha Four Stroke
The core is best for building the larger bodies. It does not flow as easy as the finish. The finish is good for getting into the hard to reach places and finishing off the heads of flies. You could use the finish to build a body, but it would be a pain in the ass. Once the body is finished, and if I want to add color without building up the body, I use the finish since it really does not add any bulk. Keep in mind that even though the 30cc may seem small, none goes to wast which is a problem with epoxy. I can put some tuffleye on a paper plate and come back a week later and it is still still usable.
“The man who coined the phrase “Money can’t buy happiness”, never bought himself a good fly rod”
quote:Do you apply and shape the stuff with your fingers?
You can after hitting it with the light for about 8 to 10 seconds, although I have not gotten this down pat yet. The core acts like epoxy, but you can add a little then harden it with the light, add a little more, harden it, etc…, until you form the body you want. Mostly I just use a toothpick to arrange the core and then harden it. It takes a while for it to move on you.
“The man who coined the phrase “Money can’t buy happiness”, never bought himself a good fly rod”