Threads to choose?

[bmaher287]

Hey guys I have some questions about threads to get. I have usually never paid much attention to the type of thread I was using but after trying to tie packed deer hair bugs with bad thread I want to get the right stuff. I am looking for a good multi-use thread that is strong and can handle tension, but that I can also use for smaller flies as well. What suggestions do you guys have?

Also, where does everyone get their fly tying materials from? I am looking for a good online retailer that has a lot of options to choose from. Thanks for any input.

[Jayatwork]

You are going to want different threads for spinning deer hair and tying small flies.

Everyone has their preferences. Mine are:

Veevus 16/0 or Griffiths Sheer for flies smaller than size 18.
Danville 6/0 for general tying.
Danville 3/0 when I need a little more strength.
GSP thread for spinning deer hair.

[Alberto]

I agree with Jay, you want different threads. My preferences are:

Danville's Flymaster+ or Flat-waxed nylon for bass bugs and other spun deer hair flies
Danville's 140-denier for streamers (specially if I need a smooth underbody for tinsel or floss bodies)
Uni 6/0 and 8/0 for flies size 10 or smaller

I can't help you on the online question, I live a few miles from Stonerriver Outfitters that is where I get all my stuff.

Alberto

[narcodog]

Try Veevus, has outstanding strength, small diameter and if doing loop dubbing makes a very nice small loop.

[fritz]

Here's an article to confuse you to no end. I agree with all of the replies. I am considering purchasing only GSP threads at 1.5-2 times the cost of poly and nylon threads.

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter...read/table.php

[ScottP]

If forced to pick only one thread, I've used UTC 140 to spin hair on a number of freshwater flies (mostly for trout) and for larger (#12 and above) trout flies. It's not quite as strong as Flymaster Plus or Flat-wax for spinning deer but it doesn't build up as quickly so it can be used for regular patterns.
If it were me, I'd buy a spool or 2 of the heavier Flymaster for the ungulate hair, UTC 140, MFC 6/0, or Danville 6/0 for general tying and MFC 8/0 for the little flies. The Veevus may be great stuff but it's a bit too expensive for my tastes.
If you're just tying big bass bugs, pike flies or saltwater, I'd stick with the Flymaster Plus and Flat-wax.


Regards,
Scott

[CharlaineC]

Denny got me hooked on YLI Silk threads for 99% of my tying

[herefishy]

One factor I never see addressed is the labeling of thread. I seldom get Danville anymore, because the labels fall off and then I don't know what I have. Uni also comes to mind, though their labels don't fall off much, but sometimes.

[ScottP]

I seldom get Danville anymore, because the labels fall off and then I don't know what I have.

I thought Danville used to color-code their spools based on thread size but I just looked through my boxes and some spools of Flat-wax are the same color as the 6/0 so there goes that theory. Luckily, there's a visible difference between those 2 threads (Flymaster Plus, too) and a quick look tells me what I'm dealing with.

Regards,
Scott

[mahanvey]

I like using Uni Mylar thread for spinning hair. It seems to be the stronger of the threads. I don't know what size it is because the label has disappeared. It does small to very large flies (1/0) saltwater down to a ten or twelve. The size 12 flies I have done are pretty difficult to do because of thread size but doable.

My spinning days are very few now because of the fish I now seek, but the Mylar is the strongest threads I've found.