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What is this new UV activated product?
Tuffleye comes from the dentistry industry, some good things do come from dentists... What Comes In The Pack?
It is a three item package that involves two thick liquid syringe type canisters and an UV torch, that when activated dries as hard as epoxy. That is where the similarity to any other product ends. Tuffleye requires no mixing, no mess, no on-bench fly rotator and it will not turn brown over time, which can be depressing when you get to the first run of Tuna of the season, go to grab your favourite “catch ‘em all” fly and it looks like, dare I say it, a refugee from a Huggies. So now there is a product that will not turn brown, is as hard as epoxy and is as heavy as epoxy (but can be made hollow to float). The other really cool thing about Tuffleye is that until you activate it, it will not go hard. So you can mould it to whatever shape you want, all you need is wet fingers. The first item you will notice is the UV Light Torch that is supplied in the pack, it is a very specific frequency of UV light designed for Tuffleye, and it is very bright, so be careful of your eyes when using it. 
Then the second is the “Big Gun” - the CORE. It is probably the most versatile product I have tied with. It is thicker than Finish and does not penetrate fibres like Finish does.
Third is the “FINISH”, this will actually penetrate the fibres you are tying with and can be used a quick head cement or a “spot glue” as you tie. Spot it on, give it a zap with the torch and away you go again.
The only thing you need on top of the pack is a USA to Australian adapter plug, available from Tandy or Dick Smith for about $15.00, as batteries are not the best for this torch, it work much better when plugged in 240 volts. How To Use Tuffleye To use Tuffleye, simply squirt some on, wet your fingers and mould it to whatever your imagination can come up with, it will not go off until you give it some UV with the torch. Also you do not have to build your head or shape in one hit as you can build it up in layers. When the Core or Finish is activated with the UV torch it will leave a sticky residue, this is left to aid the next coat or layer to bind to the previous one. To clean it off when you are happy with the final result, all you need is an alcohol wipe or a cotton bud dipped in some of mum’s nail polish remover. Once the residue is removed your fly will be left with a milky look to it, DON’T PANIC dip it in a glass of water and your fly will be crystal clear. If however, you are like me and love to see your fly box full of nice, flash, fish attracting devices (even if the don’t act like that) all you need to do is give the Tuffleye a quick coat of Tough As Nails or similar and it will be crystal clear forever. Take particular note of how good your holographic eyes or any flash material in the head looks. Instead of slightly dulling them like some epoxies can, Tuffleye actually makes them stand out like the proverbial. One last thought, the other benefit Tuffleye carries over epoxy is that should you damage a fly e.g. clip the side of the boat or a rock while trying to cast at that “fish of a lifetime” and this cracks or breaks the Tuffleye section of your fly. Don’t despair, just fill it, zap it and fish it again. Call me at the shop or drop me a line if you have any questions. Or better still drop in one day and show me what you have created using this amazing product. Fishing for fun is a serious business, work hard at it.
Cheers Rod Young
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