Hook:
Thread:
Wing:
Tail:
Ribbing:
Body:
Collar:

2. Gel Spun Polyethylene (GSP): GSP is similar to Kevlar, but is stronger and more flexible than Kevlar. GSP is made of continuous extrusion fibers, is very slippery and the use of AC Glue is recommended when using GSP in fly tying. GSP is used to make Spiderwire™.

3. Kevlar: Kevlar is a man-made product that is stronger than Nylon or Polyester. Kevlar is made of short fiber filaments. Kevlar thread should be considered when strength of the thread is a priority. Kevlar is also more expensive than either Nylon or Polyester.

4. Nylon: Nylon is a man-made product that is a substitute for silk. Nylon was created in the 1930's. A continuous extrusion fiber is used to make nylon. Nylon is somewhat lacking in the qualities that make silk desirable, but is less expensive to produce. Nylon thread has the ability to retain the dyes that produce bright vibrant colors. Nylon is stronger and more abrasion resistant then silk. Nylon thread will stretch when under extreme tension before breaking.

5. Polyester: Polyester is a man-made product that is similar in use to nylon. Polyester can be produced by either a continuous extrusion fiber or as short fiber filaments. Polyester thread does not stretch as Nylon thread does because of this lack of elasticity; polyester will break without prior indication when under extreme stress. Polyester thread does not give the same bright vibrant colors as nylon thread does when dyed.

6. Rayon: Rayon is a man-made product that is a substitute for silk. Rayon is made from continuous extrusion fibers. Rayon is used primarily as floss in fly tying in place of silk floss, having bright vibrant colors. Rayon fibers are prone to breaking from abrasions. Rayon thread for sewing is used mostly for embroidery work using a different thread construction.

7. Silk: Is a natural product created from the cocoons of silk worms. The silkworm cocoon is dipped into hot water to kill the silk worm inside; this also hardens the silk fibers, for easier handling for a continuous silk fiber. Then the cocoon is unraveled to collect the thin fibers to create the silk thread. This is a labor-intensive process; silk is more expensive than thread made from other materials. Silk is preferred in the tying of "Classic Atlantic Salmon Flies" even today. Its colors are bright and it has a smooth translucent sheen. The color and sheen qualities of Silk are how other materials are judged in Fly-Tying. Silk is not considered a strong thread in comparison to other thread materials.

8. Wool: Wool is a natural product using short hair filaments from the hair of animals. Wool has a fuzzy texture to the surface of the thread/yarn. Its use in Fly-Tying is mostly restricted to body construction in lieu of dubbing materials or other materials.

1. Air Entangled Thread: Air entangled thread is also made from continuous filaments, such as polyester or nylon, which are intermeshed using high-speed air jets. The yarn then is twisted to create the thread.

2. Core Thread: Core thread is made by spinning a wrap of cotton or polyester fiber filaments around a continuous extruded fiber of polyester fibers to create a single yarn fiber. Then two or more of these single yarns fibers are twisted to create the thread.

3. Monocord Thread: Monocord thread is made from continuous filaments which are not twisted and can be soft or bonded in the final thread finish. An example of soft monocord thread is the rayon or silk floss used in fly-tying.

4. Monofilament Thread: Monofilament thread is made from a single continuous nylon filament. In fly tying it is better to use the sewing nylon monofilament than the nylon tippet material monofilament we are all use to using. Sewing monofilament is more elastic and will stretch when tying, helping to hold the material more secure.

5. Spun Thread: Spun thread is made from short fibers filaments that are intermeshed to create a continuous yarn fiber. Two or more yarn fibers are then twisted to create the thread.

6. Textured Thread: Textured thread is made from continuous filaments, such as polyester or nylon, which are intermeshed using mechanical means, then are heat sealed to ensure the thread shape.

7. Twisted Multifilament Thread: Twisted multifilament threads are twisted together to make the thread. Twisted multifilament thread can be soft or bonded depending on the final thread finish.

1. Bonded: Bonded is the process where multifilament thread is treated with a special resin that encapsulates the filaments forming a tough, smooth protective coating on the surface of the thread. This bonded process helps the thread to resist abrasions and secures the filaments.

2. Gassed: Refers to cotton thread, which is passed through a flame to reduce the fuzz on the thread surface. This gassing also helps to increase the cotton thread sheen.

3. Glaced: Glaced is the process where thread is treated with starches, waxes, and special chemicals under controlled heat and then brushed or polished to a high luster. Resulting in a glossy, hard finish that protects the tread from abrasion and helps secure the thread ply.

4. Mercerized: Used with cotton fiber thread. The cotton thread is treated with a caustic solution, which causes the fibers to swell to allow dyes to better saturate the cotton fibers. Mercerization increases the cotton threads luster, as well as increasing the thread strength.

5. Soft: The thread is dyed, then a sealant may be applied. The sealant may help lubricate the thread, seal the thread from contamination, or help the thread better grip other thread material.

Benecchi

Benecchi tying thread is Twisted Multifilament, polyester material, and is unwaxed (Soft).

Danville

Danville tying thread is available in various construction methods, is nylon, and comes either waxed (Glaced) or unwaxed (Soft).

Gudebrod

Gudebrod tying thread is available as polyester, Kevlar and monofilament thread.

Polyester is available in Monocord, polyester, waxed (Glaced). Kevlar is available in Core, Kevlar/Polyester, Soft. Monofilament is Nylon, Soft.

PEARSALL

Pearsall is the maker of silk thread and silk floss. Their silk thread is Twisted Multifilament, Silk, and Soft.

UNI

Most of the UNI thread material is polyester, they also sell kevlar, monofilament and GSP. UNI is in the process of switching to the Denier System for thread weight, the GSP is already marketed in Denier weight.

The polyester thread is twisted monofilament, bonded, soft (unwaxed), or glaced (waxed).

The kevlar thread is monocord, kevlar/polyester, bonded. The monofilament thread is nylon, bare.

WAPSI

WAPSI uses the Denier weight for all thread measurements. All WAPSI thread is nylon, and comes in two construction methods, monocord and monofilament.