Tips on Handling Metz Sili Skin
(material Gummy Minnows and other Gummy flies are made of)
by Mike Sharpe

Tip #1

Handling Sili Skin can be like trying to handle fly paper.  You just can't let go of it!

Dip your fingers in water prior to handling the Sili Skin; as you remove the backing material.

Do not dip the Sili Skin in the water.  A small amount on your skin has little effect of the

materials sticking power, but soaking it in water may damage the adhesive, prior to sticking it together.

Tip #2

Peel the Sili Skin off the backing material, instead of trying to peel the backing off the Sili Skin,

you will find it makes the task much easier.

Tip#3

Don't try to puncture Sili Skin with the hook point to make Mike's Gummy Minnow.

Instead, mark the point you want the hook to penetrate the Sili Skin.  Peel the material back to that point, remembering to dampen

your fingers with water.  Next, cut the backing down the center and cut a small  piece of the Sili Skin.  Peel the Sili Skin

past the point a little and stretch it by pulling on the sides.  This will open a small hole at the point you want the hook point to

penetrate the material.  Be careful and pass the hook point through the hole and place the center line of the Sili Skin

on the hook shank.  Peel the rest of the backing off and fold to form the layer you are working on.

Tip #4

Be careful to limit the amount of you stretch the Sili Skin, while manipulating and peeling the backing.

The bends in Gummy Minnows are from materials being stretched more of one side than the other.

Tip #5

For Gummy Spoon Flies and Gummy Crab Flies, if you want the surface to be hard, coat the surface with epoxy. 

Do not use Head Cement, it can cause the surface to discolor and loose its shine.

Tip#6

You can create fins by stretching the portion where you want a fin to be and pinching the raised material together.

This technique works, but if the Sili Skin gets warm, such as in a hot vehicle trunk, the fin will disappear. 

The adhesive will become soft and allow the stretched material to reposition itself.

Tip #7

You can increase your color choices by using Metz Loco foam. 

It is not have adhesive on one side, like Sili Skin and is not as stretchable.

I have used it as the color layer and used the Mother of Pearl top coat to hold the Loco Foam in place.

Tip #8

The only thing limiting you is your imagination.
Experiment with weight sizes and material combinations.
There is no telling what you can come up with.