M
Modest_Man
I tried the 'sheet stuff' and did not like it! I also tried the 'Krylon' sprays, if you are not doing a whole bunch in the exact same color, they are kind of a waste and you end up with lots of overspray. And having to ask someone to 'unlock the paint cage' can be a royal pain in the old backside... However some of the smaller vehicle touch up cans and modeler cans come in handy from time to time.
I have been using nail polish on my lures and spinner blades... then coat it with 'Sally Hansen Hard as Nails' to add some armor to it. I do not buy the real good stuff and thin out what I do get to allow thinner coats. Also if you watch the ads and sales, you can get quite a bit and a lot of various colors for very little cost.
Scuff them with some 400# grit paper, paint on a base coat, add two or three color coats, then top with the 'Sally Hansen' and let each layer cure under a heat lamp. You can add spot, multiple colors, stripes, fades, candy coats, metallic coats, glitter, and whatever else tickles your fancy. Best part is, you do not need to clean the brush as it stores inside of the bottle. If you like, you can spray it with a airbrush and get some really fantastic designs and detail if you thin it enough. Just open the sample bottles and try them on your thumb nail until you find the color(s) that fit what you want.
The down side is that the clerks at your local Fred Meyer will begin to look at you strange and ask if you need any help. Security will start to circle if you are over in the area too long... The women shoppers will start to give you a really wide berth and walk out of their way to keep away from you too... just something 'strange' about a guy trying all of the various shades of nail polish until they find the colors that work for them!
You will need at least a size 3 (and usually larger), for most Salmon fishing (assuming that is what you are aiming for at this time of year). I have used size 3's all black (even black tubing on the hook shank), with great success for Fall 'Nooks in low water/dark day conditions. I do not add any paint nor any stick on tape.
Have you read Jed Davis' book (Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout)? If not, you need to get a copy. You will learn how, where, when to make and scientifically use spinners.
Don Green at Fisherman's Shack in Monmouth, carries that book and the very components in Jed's book. He also carries equipment to build your own spinners.
BTW, when Jed does use/suggest sticky tape for his spinners...he attaches it to the back side of the blade. His theory, is that it changes the appearance of the spinner as it passes by a fish.
I like the dip paints, as for the sticker paper...I use custom punches from a craft store.. you can get some crazy designs. I punch out the sticker paper and use a xato(Sp) knife to separate the sticker from the backing and keep the sticker on the blade and use that as my installation tool. Works great... One thing I did learn the hard way...PRIMER when you paint, and use a clear after you have finished. Seems like a ton of work but they ware like iron.
Best of luck and tight lines.
Chuck
I like to put clear nail polish that has glitter already in it on my spinner blades, if I want something different. If you would like, you can go over that with either clear nail polish, or you can use epoxy. I used Bug Bond over mine. If you use Bug Bond it is a good idea to coat both sides with it. They are going to be selling it at saltwaterflies.com real soon, if not already. It is a uv light cured product. Still I think for spinner blades, nail polish is just fine. You can spray a bunch with spray paint, and them coat them with nail polish, epoxy, or Bug Bond. (or any other uv light cured product)
Here is a picture of the nail polish on my spinner flies. It is a little hard to tell, but I like the effect it has. You can just do the back of the blade if you prefer.
Can you provide a link to the optical fibers you speak of? I use something similar to krystal flash, but much thinner. It may be what you are talking about. But then again maybe I am wrong. I would like to see exactly what you mean, before saying anything about it.
I looked it up, but cannot really tell how it can be used differently with flies than regular flash. As far as spinners, you could use it mixed with your dressing on your tail. I do not know how it would look tied on as the dressing by itself. You could try it and see what you think.