Whether you're chasing rising trout on your favorite stream or gearing up for a hatch, keeping your dry flies floating high is essential. But with so many options available, how do you know which one to choose?
In this guide, we’ll break down the main types of fly floatants offered by Loon Outdoors, explain their specific applications, and show which flies they’re best suited for—so you can fish smarter and longer.
Fly floatants are essential for dry fly fishing. They help keep your fly buoyant, improve visibility, and extend the life of your presentation on the water. But not all of these are created equal: some are gels, others are sprays, powders, or dips. Choosing the right one depends on your fly type, weather conditions, and personal preference.
AQUEL: The Go-To Universal Gel Floatant
Type: Gel
Best for: Most dry flies (not CDC-safe)
Features:
Aquel is Loon’s most popular floatant for a reason—it's consistent, reliable, and keeps flies riding high.
LOCHSA: Ideal for CDC Flies
Type: Gel
Best for: CDC and delicate dry flies
Features:
Lochsa is your go-to when fishing technical water and working with more sensitive materials like CDC.
ROYAL GEL: Add a Little Sparkle
Type: Gel
Best for: Trico hatches or spinner falls
Features:
FLY SPRITZ 2: Easy Spray-On Application
Type: Liquid Spray
Best for: Pretreating dry flies
Features:
Use Fly Spritz to give your flies a protective barrier before they hit the water.
FLY DIP: The “Shake & Bake” Solution
Type: Liquid Dip
Best for: Wet flies needing revival
Features:
Dip your fly, give it a few false casts, and it's ready to fish like new.
PAYETTE PASTE: More Than Just a Fly Floatant
Type: Paste
Best for: Flies, tippet, and leaders
Features:
Perfect when you want to keep your entire setup riding high.
EASY DRY: The Essential Drying Agent
Type: Powder Desiccant
Best for: Drying slimed or waterlogged flies
Features:
Easy Dry is best used before applying your preferred floatant.
TOP RIDE: The #1 Dry Fly Powder
Type: Desiccant + Powder
Best for: General dry fly use; CDC-safe
Features:
A versatile, all-purpose floatant ideal for quick on-stream drying and float restoration.
LOON DUST: Precision Application
Type: Brush-on powder
Best for: Emergers, soft hackles, and CDC flies
Features:
Used creatively, Loon Dust can simulate natural insect emergence stages.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in fly fishing. Whether you’re using CDC dries, standard hackles, or tying up emerger patterns, the right floatant can make all the difference. Experiment with gels, dips, sprays, and powders to match your fly style, water conditions, and fishing goals.
