A pretty famous tier/fisherman I follow says that he now uses strictly GSP thread.
I have so much of the standard nylon threads, I have yet to try the GSP, but plan to in the near future.
I understand it comes in several sizes, depending on the number of filament strands in the thread.
Hope to hear from those who use it or have tried it.
I bought some, but only used it a few times. Too slippery for me. Maybe I’ll give it another try. However, bugs are hatching BIG time on the AuSable, so fishing not tying.
Heard it doesn’t stretch like regular nylon thread, so takes a bit of time to get used to it?
Better to be fishing than tying…certainly agree with you on that!
Really really slick, but also extremely strong. I basically use it for egg patterns (in 100 or 75 denier) and nothing else.
I use the 30 denier GSP almost exclusively now. I mostly tie smaller flies and it is much stronger than any 8/0 thread that I used to use and it literally disappears on the hook. However, it is slippery and takes a little getting used to. To combat that, you can wax it until you get comfortable with it. The only time I ever notice the slipperiness now is starting it on the hook.
Joe
I guess I have used Veevus, come to think of it…Is Veevus only GSP, or is it possibly a different thread?
PT: Is “Yes” an endorsement or just mean you have tied with it? Thanks.
Egg patterns, deer hair, some streamers
The Veevus I have, in sizes 6 & 8, is not GPS. They might make a GPS…don’t know. The few times I have used UTC GPS it was difficult to cut with the tip of the scissors. It is strong. Guess I’ll try it some more in the future and use wax as suggested. By the way, I bought the size 100 denier to spin hair. Probably should have gotten a smaller size given the strength.
Yes, meaning I use it and like it…
Veevus GSP only comes in Black and White so it has to be colored with a marker:
http://www.jsflyfishing.com/veevus-gsp
PT/TB
Veevus makes many sizes of both GSP and non-GSP. The problem I’ve had with their 18/0 GSP is that about half way through the spool the filaments are wrapped around each other and I can’t untangle them. Veevus is cheaper and you get more per spool than the Semperfli GSP, but it’s not cheaper if you can only use part of the spool. I’ve never had that problem with Semperfli 18/0. Plus, Semperfli comes in many colors in its 18/0 and Veevus only makes it in black or white, as PT said, if that makes any difference.
Joe
Yes. It’s slippery, so it’s a bit trickier to get started. I use it because it takes longer for the snook to turn it into a frayed mess, like they do instantly with standard thread.
suggestion: you guys who make furled leaders can make them from the nylon stuff you’ve now replaced with GSP
Originally marketed by Roman Moser as Powersilk I believe, or at least that’s the first time I heard of it for general tying, there are a number of manufacturers making GSP threads now. Current thread has the same shortcomings as old thread, mostly outlined above (expensive, slick, hard to cut, hard on materials, etc.). Essentially a special purposed product used in situations where you need a lot of tension, enhanced durability, or a very thin thread. Not worth the effort for general tying.
One curious approach I’ve heard people use who tie very small flies is to separate the strands of GSP fishing line, spool it up, and use it as thread. Have not tried it myself, but sounds like a nice frugal way of approaching the problem.
I appreciate everyone’s comments. As is often the case, varying opinions. I think that is what I appreciate about our shared interest.
In case anyone might be interested, I will post a link to a YouTube primarily about a review of GSP thread.
As others have said it’s very slick and your scissors had better be sharp. It’s great for spinning deer hair or tying globugs, where you need a lot of strength otherwise I prefer regular thread.
Jay,
I remember the old Kevlar thread they came out with 30 or more years ago
That stuff would cut through about anything! I was under the impression (perhaps wrong), that this material was much more friendly to tying.
I think it is better than Kevlar, but I still only use it for strength.
Kevlar is great for military use, so we should have left it there. I still have two spools if anyone is interested:-)
JC,
Not sure if you watched the Kelly Galloup linked video, but he says Kevlar should have been left in bullet proof vests…something to that effect…LOL