Uncle Jesse, linen was also used to make sails in the Dark Ages or Middle Ages. Doped linen was used to make the covering for airplanes in WW1. I remember from my field crops class and history reading that the qualities of flax fiber vary greatly depending on manufacture and treatment. In that regard it is much like ramie cloth. The best thing to do is to take a page out of ScottP's book and tie a few flies. For that matter, I might tie some flies with DMC linen floss bodies and mallard posts.

Regards,
Ed