Tuffleye

[riseform]

Just thumbed through the newest edition of Fly Tyer and read about Tuffleye as an alternative to epoxy, even converting Bob Popovics. I know the light system is rather expensive, but is anyone using this? If so, what are your impressions?

[Double-D]

Haven’t used it myself but a friend of mine has been using it for a couple of years on his salt flies and swears by it. He says its much easier to work with than epoxy and it doesn't yellow. I have considered trying it out myself but haven’t gotten around to ordering the system yet. If you tie many epoxy flies the price of the light is worth it.

[pittendrigh]

Just thumbed through the newest edition of Fly Tyer and read about Tuffleye as an alternative to epoxy, even converting Bob Popovics. I know the light system is rather expensive, but is anyone using this? If so, what are your impressions?

I'll have to renew my Fly Tyer subscription.
I looked into UV cured glues in the late 1980s,
when I first started experimenting with super glue
(Sandy's Superfly). UV guns cost close to $800 then,
so I never did much more that complain to wholesalers.

This stuff looks pretty good, and the cost isn't all that bad.
I wonder if they have any resins that cure to a semi-soft
consistency.

[P-FITZ98]

Try Loons Hard head.Its doesnt require mixing and Ive never had it yellow like most epoxy will with time.need multiple coats on bigger flies,but it dries fast.I use it alot.

[Philster]

I've used gallons of epoxy in my tying life. Hardhead is great on any epoxy fly tied "round" meaning that if you normally would apply the epoxy and then put the fly directly on the wheel, it'll be fine. It takes awhile to dry for heavy coats before you can apply the next, over 40 minutes, and it takes three coats for a Seahabit. I'm using it on my personal seahabits. A bottle goes an amazingly LONG WAY. It may look expensive on the shelf, but trust me, one bottle will last a normal tyer more flies than he wants to tie!

For "sculpted" flies, flies where you manipulate the epoxy as it dries, only epoxy or products like Tuffleye will work. I've gotten to the point with my epoxy skills that for a surf candy, I can use 1 minute epoxy for the first shaping application, and I can use 90 second for the final in a pinch, but I still would rather use 3 to 5 minute for the final. It's kinda meditative and relaxing. The 90 second is like being a diamond cutter. All focus, no fun...

Currently Tuffleye is too expensive for my taste, and I don't particularly want to add hardware to my life. It does work, and the learning curve appears to about the same as epoxy. Not saying don't get it, just asking are you in that much of hurry, and do you like gadget/gimmicky stuff. If you have all the latest fishing gear, it's targeted at you. If you make things you already have work. It's probably not for you.

[alpinetrout]

Tuffleye would be great if it weren't for the tacky finish that's left behind when it cures. Their recommended solution is to wipe the residue off with rubbing alcohol, then coat the Tuffleye with Hard as Nails. That's all fine and good, but it adds extra steps that take away from the convenience of using it to begin with.

On the plus side, it is nice for certain flies to be able to have as much working time as you need. Also for smaller flies, it's convenient to use exactly how much you need rather than having to tie enough flies to make it worth mixing epoxy without waste.

[Tony]

I also saw the article and while it seems great, the epoxy I use doesn't seem to have a problem with yellowing (yet) and it only costs 6 bucks for the 2 4 & 1/2 oz bottles which is enough to tie a whole lot of flies, I've been using it for a year and have hardly put a dent in them so for me it seems pretty pricey, I'll save my 80 dollars for something else.
tony