If you want to start out with thread, go to the nearest Joann Fabric store and get a spool of this:

http://www.joann.com/coats-andamp-cl...hread&start=26

You can practice with this and make leaders you can fish with. One spool will make over 50 6'6" leaders. I like the bright colors and no, they don't spook the fish. Electric yellow is my favorite color. I fish a thread leader of that color 90% of the time.

Brad