UV Epoxy

[Garrett P.]

Just getting into messing with epoxies and have been using 5 minute epoxy but was curious about the UV epoxy that is out there. I saw some tiers using Clear Cure Goo (CCG) at Somerset and that was interesting. What does everybody use? The CCG looks nice, but the price is pretty high. Are all the UV epoxies similarly priced?

[Troutastic]

I'm a fan of the UV Knot Sense that Loon makes. I wouldn't call it epoxy, but it is very easy to distribute on a fly, and cures quick with about 30 seconds of sunlight or a UV flashlight. I use it a lot on a lot of my small midge patterns and a few others as well. Some people complain that it gets a yellowish hue to it after a lot of use, but I mean that usually means its time to change flies when that many trout have chomped on it/

[passinthru63]

I use the Loon UV Knot sense as well with the UV light. Great for flashback nymphs and such.

[AaronJasper]

I give my nod to the LOON. It works great and it's not messy at all. As soon as you shine that light on it gets solid right away. There is no drying at all. It's ready to be fished.

[MtnDawg]

I've been using the Tuffleye stuff with the blue light for my saltwater flies for almost a year now, and their "Flex" formula is great. It can be worked easily into your materials, and cures quickly with their blue light. So far, no discoloration, and the flex provides a little bit of "give", which, to me, seems to allow for a little bit more of a natural texture than the solid hard finish of some of the other epoxies.

[Garrett P.]

With the LOON is there only a solid finish or do they have a flexible as well? One of the nice things with CCG is that they have a flexible finish as well. I will look into Tuffleye. Do any of the epoxies work with any of the lights, or do you have to stick with the Brand Epoxy cured with the same Brand UV Light?

[Troutastic]

With the LOON is there only a solid finish or do they have a flexible as well? One of the nice things with CCG is that they have a flexible finish as well. I will look into Tuffleye. Do any of the epoxies work with any of the lights, or do you have to stick with the Brand Epoxy cured with the same Brand UV Light?

No. Don't waste your money on the Loon UV Light, which is like $30. I bought some knock-off Japanese UV light on the internet for $5 (including shipping!) that works just fine on the UV Knot Sense stuff.

[The Sib]

I have been using the LOON UV as well.
Works for me so I will use it ( at least ) until the tube is empty.

[SherpaB]

I've been messing around with regular Clear Cure goo. In a word its pretty cool, I did see online they have a new product called Hydro...it brushes on with the consistency of a head cement. It looks really cool and a bit easier to work with than the CCG and perfect for trout flies. The CCG isnt bad to work with at all, just takes a few flies to learn how it comes out of the needle. I zapped it with a cheapo UV light and it dries hard in about 10 seconds, a tiny bit of tack but more oily than sticky-not at all a problem. The newer products they've come out with are supposedly dry and hard.
This is one of my first efforts...some sort of poxyback general PT/Hares ear combo...I was more excited to try the goo than worry about the fly itself. I did order some CCG Hydro and will get back to you when I have a chance to try it.

[SherpaB]

A better angle to see the goo...