Lead Putty Shortage Creates Panic in Colorado

May 19, 2006 By: Marshall Cutchin

Ed Dentry reveals more about putty-based weight for nymph fisherman than you could ever hope to know in this article about the demise of Shape-A-Wate, an inexpensive lead-based substance long favored by Colorado guides. “Twistons, thin lead strips, work OK, but they tend to slide up and down the leader and aren’t as smooth and adaptable as putty. The trouble with the tungsten stuff, bismuth stuff, tin stuff and other nontoxic alternatives to lead putty is their consistency leaves much to be desired and they eventually dissolve in water.” In the Rocky Mountain News.