This is an update on Bristle Tac type materials.
Del reported finding Bristle Tac as Industrial Grade Velcro (IGV) in the sewing section of WalMart. Wallyworld was closed for yesterday's holiday, so I was there bright and early this morning to check it out and do some shopping.
There's really no bad news, just a little different than expected. IGV is NOT Bristle Tac. Bristle Tac is fairly heavy duty stuff and a closeup look would show what looks like a forest of spherical knobs which are each molded on top of a plastic pedestal. This stuff best holds hooks from size 14 and larger.
Industrial Grade Velcro is a different animal. It is lighter gage, though a similar plastic material. Under close view, there are no knobs but rather smaller, lower, two-sided raised hooks. For flybox lining use, this material has a couple of disadvantages, but it also has a big advantage.
The disadvantages are that the self-adhesive material only securely holds hooks placed in one direction only. That is, hooks placed across the rows of hook-like projections hold securely. Hooks placed parallel to the hook-like projections don't hold at all. That is no problem, since most of us place our flies in parallel rows, and it is just a matter of orienting the material within the flybox to make things come out as normal.
The second disadvantage is that IGV is only about 1/2 as thick as Bristle Tac, so it doesn't have the depth to hold larger hooks like #6 through #10.
Which brings us to the advantage. Since the forest of hook-like projections in IGV is more closely spaced, this material WILL securely hold hooks in the #16-#20 range.
So, what Del has found is the perfect Bristle Tac type material for making flyboxes for small dries and nymphs! Great find.
The material comes in two packages. The smaller quantity gives you two 2x4 inch pieces (16 sq. inches) for $2.44. The larger quantity comes in a roll which I believe is 2" wide by 5 ft. long for $5.95 (obviously a much better deal). (Del, you might recheck the width of the sample you have and report back to the list. Is it 2" wide or 3"?) You also get an equivalent amount of the fuzzy Velcro hook receiving material that can be used for other projects.
So currently, we list the more widely available sources for these materials as...
Bristle Tac: Radio Shack (as "Superlock Fasteners" displayed in the same section as electrical tape). You get four 1"x3" strips for $2.99.
Industrial Grade Velcro: WalMart sewing section
I can still get Bristle Tac patches cheapest at a local military surplus store. They tell me it was a one-shot bulk purchase, and there is no ongoing supply.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
