Wax

[daringduffer]

... After consuming pounds of materials trying every wax recipe in angling literature I have found this to be basically true. In order to produce an effective wax I had to think outside the box and come up with my own recipe. This is tying wax which sticks the thread tightly to the hook and makes a very durable fly. It also adds friction which helps materials stay put. It isn't what we think of as a dubbing wax which is sticky at room temperature and doesn't harden significantly.
... Bill

Bill,

Is it you or Halford talking here? I suppose it is you, since I don't think Halford was out of a box on his own (might be mistaken about that). If it's you - what kind of wax is it? Mike speaks of "finger wax" and you call this "tying wax" and then we have dubbing wax...

dd

more curious than confused

[wsbailey]

I make several waxes but the one I am referring to in this post is the one known in fly tying literature as white, transparent or colourless wax. It dates from the days of eyeless hooks when silk gut was used to connect the hook to the leader. Not only did it help to preserve the silk thread but it also also acted as a "glue" to hold everything together. It still has value for making a very durable fly. My wax is similar to Ogden's and Leisenring's but with a longer list of ingredients (all natural) that help make the wax easier to use. Bill