Post by Nittro on Nov 7, 2013 9:05:30 GMT -5
After having tied the Klinkhamer, there was some discussion around sourcing Antron and it's attributes. Here is a brief article I found on the subject.
"In this article I thought I'd discuss a synthetic product which has become a little confusing. Whether you are a new tyer or an old hat , I'll try to unravel the topic for you. Antron is one of the most versatile new synthetic materials fly tyers have available. The "early pioneers" of this material were Gary La Fontaine and John Betts. Because of its unique texture, size and shine, this product offers many uses of the fly tier. Antron can be dubbed,twisted, teased, used for wings, shucks , parachute posts or mixed with other products such as flash-a-bou for some really interesting bass bug tails. The problem is there or so many products on the market that many tyers are confused and have no idea what the stuff is or good for. Some of the names for the product include: Z-lon, Permatron, Darlon, Antron Body Wool, Aunt Lydia's sparkle yarn, Crinkled Z-lon and so on.
Very simply antron is a rug yarn. Millions of miles of the product have manufactured by DuPont for use in carpets. Antron can be found in many places. Often the cores of mylar piping contain the fibers. A product called Aunt Lydia's sparkle yarn is sold on small cards by the Wapsi. It is also sold in bundles at Wal-Mart for around $.85 for a very large package. Still another source is a mountain throw rugs. These are braided kitchen rugs sold at lumber yards (Mernard's ) for around $2-$3.00. By buying one of these rugs you will have miles of the stuff. The main thing to look for when buying the product is to fray the yarn and look for a sparkle texture to it. Antron is typically very slick and has a shine to it.
Antron easily accepts markers and can be colored any shade. To color Antron you must use a permanent water proof marker that has an alcohol base ink otherwise the ink will wash out when the fly is used. These markers are sold with such names as Pantone, Chartpak or Sharpies.To color some yarn simply rub the marker across the yarn. Now instead of searching for the perfect color just hit the yarn with whatever marker you like. For a wood duck type flecked wing dot some cream Antron with a brown marker and separate the fibers by pulling the ends to uneven lengths. To make a grizzly effect, use a black marker and make bands across the yarn.
Another use for Antron is in making wings. Instead of searching for the perfect kip tail simply tie in Antron and cut to any length you desire. In making a parachute Antron makes the perfect post as it can be cut to any size and can made thicker or thinner simply by adding or removing material. You can make a hi-vis wing by adding a center core of orange Antron to your post.To make wonderful spendt wings for spinners, tie the material in figure 8's across the shank of the hook. Antron can be added to CDC or deer hair wings to give them more sparkle. Tying Antron in as a tail makes for a wonderful shuck.Now lets tie a few flies."
"In this article I thought I'd discuss a synthetic product which has become a little confusing. Whether you are a new tyer or an old hat , I'll try to unravel the topic for you. Antron is one of the most versatile new synthetic materials fly tyers have available. The "early pioneers" of this material were Gary La Fontaine and John Betts. Because of its unique texture, size and shine, this product offers many uses of the fly tier. Antron can be dubbed,twisted, teased, used for wings, shucks , parachute posts or mixed with other products such as flash-a-bou for some really interesting bass bug tails. The problem is there or so many products on the market that many tyers are confused and have no idea what the stuff is or good for. Some of the names for the product include: Z-lon, Permatron, Darlon, Antron Body Wool, Aunt Lydia's sparkle yarn, Crinkled Z-lon and so on.
Very simply antron is a rug yarn. Millions of miles of the product have manufactured by DuPont for use in carpets. Antron can be found in many places. Often the cores of mylar piping contain the fibers. A product called Aunt Lydia's sparkle yarn is sold on small cards by the Wapsi. It is also sold in bundles at Wal-Mart for around $.85 for a very large package. Still another source is a mountain throw rugs. These are braided kitchen rugs sold at lumber yards (Mernard's ) for around $2-$3.00. By buying one of these rugs you will have miles of the stuff. The main thing to look for when buying the product is to fray the yarn and look for a sparkle texture to it. Antron is typically very slick and has a shine to it.
Antron easily accepts markers and can be colored any shade. To color Antron you must use a permanent water proof marker that has an alcohol base ink otherwise the ink will wash out when the fly is used. These markers are sold with such names as Pantone, Chartpak or Sharpies.To color some yarn simply rub the marker across the yarn. Now instead of searching for the perfect color just hit the yarn with whatever marker you like. For a wood duck type flecked wing dot some cream Antron with a brown marker and separate the fibers by pulling the ends to uneven lengths. To make a grizzly effect, use a black marker and make bands across the yarn.
Another use for Antron is in making wings. Instead of searching for the perfect kip tail simply tie in Antron and cut to any length you desire. In making a parachute Antron makes the perfect post as it can be cut to any size and can made thicker or thinner simply by adding or removing material. You can make a hi-vis wing by adding a center core of orange Antron to your post.To make wonderful spendt wings for spinners, tie the material in figure 8's across the shank of the hook. Antron can be added to CDC or deer hair wings to give them more sparkle. Tying Antron in as a tail makes for a wonderful shuck.Now lets tie a few flies."
