Albolene, a cosmetic cream for dry skin, has long been used as a fly floatant. It does a excellent job of floating the fly, melts at skin temperature, and leaves no oily or sticky mess on your hands. A lifetime supply of twelve ounces is available for $9 - $11 at most pharmacies.
My favored container for Albolene is an empty lip salve tube. I have these with tops which take a cord or lanyard. Simply have the floatant hanging in front of you, pop the bottom section free, use the screw at the bottom to force more floatant from the tube, oil your fly, and then pop it back together. This can all be done with one hand.
Another good container for this is the accordion-like reel grease containers, they make squirting the gel quite easy. Heat the Albolene by the double boiler method and pour it into your chosen container for streamside use.
|