Abstract: A method of coating a fishing fly to improve the durability and wetting character of the fly. The coating is applied using gas deposition, encapsulating the fly with a water barrier while preserving its micro-details. The typical coating is odorless and colorless, and increases the longevity of the fly. The wetting character imparted by the method results from the choice of gas deposited on the fly. In coating a dry-type fly, the method uses a gas that will make the fly hydrophobic so that it floats after a significantly greater number of immersions than an uncoated fly. In coating a wet-type fly, the method uses a gas that will make the fly hydrophilic so that it submerges in less time than an untreated fly.

Abstract: A composite structure for making printing plates and other surfaces in relief is improved by reducing the density of a polymer substrate thereby increasing the amount of material removed per unit of time by a given total amount of energy. The density of the polymer substrate is reduced by making it cellular or poriferous using expandable micro capsules made of thermoplastic shell and a nucleus of a liquified blowing agent.