Material And Raw

[Crosby]

RAW- saw you tie yesterday- got there just after you started- what material were you using ?? The tubing that you were melting to make the air filled body.

[Mike]

Don't you mean RAW material? =)

The stuff that RAW uses is called O2. It comes in a couple different widths and colors. The one thing I do not know, is where you an acquire it! I'm sure that RAW can fill us in. RAW has some cool looking O2 patterns in his book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1571882251/104-4397135-7229546

I've personally become fond of RAW's overhand knot weaving technique. It can make some really cool looking flies.

[Mr. T]

I too saw Raw Tying, say that real fast 3 times! :)

Those were some Cool looking Bugs!

The 1 with the Orange/Black Checkerboard looking Pattern was pretty Unique to say the least.............. What do you call that Stuff, O2?

I also loved the Twisted Foam Bugs, they looked Semi Easy to Tie, and were really proportioned nicely!

[mcgx2]

RAW, I saw you tying yesterday too. One thing I didn't catch was how do you get the shrink tubing (O2 ???) marked? I'm sure it doesn't come that way.

mcg

[RAW]

I met Mr. T but the rest of you must have slipped away without introducing yourselves. I enjoy tying but tend to get nervous in front of groups. Hope it wasn't too boring. I clam up a bit in groups.

The material for the air-filled bodies which I call O2 (because I seal two parts of oxygen in the tube), is really heat shrink tubing. Most of the heat shrink on the market is stiffer and not as flexible. If you want to find it on your own, look for the stuff made of polyolefin. Make sure you get the stuff with the glue coating in the inside so it will seal on the ends. I work in a place where I can get lots of colors and diameters. I can get it for you if you want or you can e-mail me and I'll tell you where I work.

The O2 with the pattern on it (for large stonefly adults) is only available, right now, through me. Again, if interested e-mail me for availability and pricing.

The stuff is fun to experiment with. I love to play with new materials and techniques. Creativity in fly tying is what holds my interest.

Mike is right. The book explains all about the O2 Material and more. I get the feeling Mike is going to be an expert on the weaving technique.

If you have any other questions, please ask. Thanks for the nice comments.



Robert