Bug-Bond

Earlier this year while tying flies at the Dutch Fly Fair, I was introduced to a new UV curing agent, by fellow countryman David Edwards, that he has made specifically for fly tying: Bug-Bond. Over the past 15 years, I have used various types and brands of epoxy in my fly tying.  Epoxy takes time to get used to using. You have to work out the correct amount to mix for the specific pattern you are tying in order to get minimum waste and also mix the correct amount of both components to advance or reduce curing time as required. In addition to this, you also need to use a rotating dryer if you are tying several patterns with epoxy at the same time to achieve an even application.

Bug-Bond has been designed to be optically perfect and when cured correctly to have a tack free surface. Other benefits are that it is also resistant to tainting or yellowing when exposed to sunlight and also has a degree of flexibility when cured. But I find the largest advantage is the convenience of the few-second cure. But like all new materials, it takes a little time and experimenting to be familiar with the boundaries, possibilities and applications. I have chosen a few patterns here that will show you the applications of BB.

1. The new fly tying UV cure resin Bug-Bond, UV light and applicator nozzles. 2. Apply a drop of Bug Bond to the area you wish to cover. 3. Once applied you can cure the resin with a few seconds’ blast with the UV lamp, and it’s dry and ready to use in just a matter of seconds. **** Barry’s Bug Bond Crayfish This is a realistic pattern tied really for fun. But that said, tying these realistic patterns is great training for learning new techniques and mastering old ones. Hook: S74SZ-34011 or Mustad R74 # 2 Tying Thread: Dyneema Under body: Dark Hare’s ear Antron dubbing Over body: Foam sheet coloured with felt pens and coated with Bug Bond Legs: E-Z Body and Bug Bond Claws: E-Z Body and Bug Bond Feelers: Stripped cock hackle quills Beard: Natural buck tail Eyes: Fly Eyes Tail: Ring neck pheasant neck hackles Rib: Clear mono ****** Bee Cee Clapping crab Hook: Mustad S71SNP-ZS # 1/0 Thread: Dyneema Beard: Siberian squirrel tail hair Claws: 2 Furnace cock American hackle cut and coated with Bug Bond Eyes: Fly eyes Collar: Sand coloured hen hackle Under body: Natural kangaroo body hair spun in dubbing loop Over body: Natural muskrat body hair spun in dubbing loop ***** E-Z Sand Eel Hook: S71SNP-ZS # 4-6 Thread: Dyneema Body: E-Z body tube Tail: 15 strands of Krystal hair Eyes: Prizma tape eyes Head: Bug Bond E-Z Sand Eel, here I use Bug Bond as one would epoxy, to coat the head and tail base of the sand eel.