Best small thread for tying small flies?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

What is the best small thread for tying small flies?

Please indicate size, maker, and where it can be sourced
Thanks in advance.

2

I tie about 800 dozen flies in sizes 20-26, and although I like Uni 8/0 and UTC 70, Bennechi 12/0 thread is the best I’ve found for tying small flies. You can find it at most places on the net.

Jude
Late to bed,
Early to Rise,
Guide all day,
Tie more flies!
www.customflys.com

3

Yup! Bennechi! Most fly shops seem to buy from a single, large source as Bennechi is rarely found in fly shops.

4

Gudebrod 10/0

It flattens out when needed, is 45 denier and has a stated breaking strength of about 9oz. It is also available in LOTS of colors AND is made in Pottstown, Pennsylvania!

Take the “aught” ratings with a grain of salt. Some threads marked 12/0 - 14/0 are as heavy as 70-72 denier which many companies sell as 8/0.

5

Max,Riverdancer try here
[url=http://www.feather-craft.com/products.asp?id=21089&cat=12%2F0+ULTRA-FINE+THREAD&search=1:07d36]http://www.feather-craft.com/products.asp?id=21089&cat=12%2F0+ULTRA-FINE+THREAD&search=1[/url:07d36]

Geezer

6

“Gudebrod 10/0”…

Hmmm, an’ I just bought a whole “load” of 8/0 Uni from this one dude…BG…(kidding here)…

For my tying talents, 8/0 Uni works fine. But that Bennechi is something to behold when you want to get really fine!

Jeremy.

7

8

Yep, got to agree that Bennechi 12/0 is just about as good (and as small) as you can get.

“If we carry purism to it’s logical conclusion, to do it right you’d have to live naked in a cave, hit your trout on the head with rocks, and eat them raw. But, so as not to violate another essential element of the fly-fishing tradition, the rocks would have to be quarried in England and cost $300 each.”

~John Gierach

9

Bennechi 12/0 is no where near a true 12/0. Gudebrod 10/0 is way smaller than that stuff is. I like both but the Bennechi 12/0 builds bulkier than the 10/0 does.

10

Bennechi is very small thread and also lays flat if you counter-twist it a bit. The twist is nice as it aids in biting into the tying material.
Another thing the 12/0 Bennechi has going for it is strength. The 12/0 Bennechi has a breaking strength of 16 oz. The 10/0 Gudebrod breaks at 9 oz.
Again, the biggest problem with Bennechi is finding it!

11

This is why so many are keen to have thread size expressed in denier which is the weight in grams of 9000 meters of thread; the higher the denier, the heavier the thread. It is almost impossible to accurately measure the thickness of multi-filament tying thread since it flattens if you try and “mike” it.

Using denier as the size criteria comparing the same thread material:

  • UNI 8/0 polyester thread is 72 denier/15 oz breaking strength.

  • Gudebrod 8/0 polyester is 70 denier/15 oz breaking strength.

This means that the Gudebrod thread is LIGHTER for the same stated aught size. It should also mean it’s thinner.

  • Benecchi 12/0 polyester is 70 denier/15 oz breaking strength.

So it weighs the same as Gudebrod 8/0 and is very close to UNI 8/0 in weight with the same breaking strength.

  • Gudebrod 10/0 polyester is 45 denier/9 oz breaking strength or 55% lighter than 12/0 Benecchi.

So here?s the question: Is 12/0 - 70 denier Benecchi the same size as 8/0 Gudebrod or UNI 8/0?

While there is a significant difference between the breaking strength of 10/0 - 45 denier Gudebrod and 12/0 - 70 denier Benecchi; there isn’t any or very little difference between 8/0 - 70 denier Gudebrod, 8/0 72 denier UNI and 12/0 - 70 denier Benecchi.

When tying little flies it?s all about bulk with breaking strength coming second. You can see how confusing it is with the old aught system. Use what you like, just think about the fact that Benecchi is 2-3 times the price of UNI or Gudebrod thread for the same size, (in denier).

12

I find the whole /0 system as confusing as the denier system. I just know what I like when tying down to size 28 and that’s the Gudebrod 10/0. With a little spin of the bobbin to untwist it, the stuff lays flat as a pancake, and with a slight twist it bites into materials very nicely. My thread of choice.

My wife, VEE, likes the Bennichi 12/0 though, so we have a selection of both. She likes the Bennichi for the same reasons I lke the Gudebrod.

Try several different threads and use what suits your tying style.

Ed Engle, in his book “Tying Small Flies” has a great discussion of a lot of threads on the market, including the good and bad points of each. If your getting into small flies, the book and it’s companion, “Fishing Small Flies” is well worth the money.

REE

[This message has been edited by Ron Eagle Elk (edited 23 May 2006).]

13

I’ve never used the Bennechi (sp?) but I heartily endorse the Gudebrod 10/0. I also tie many flies down to 26 and this stuff is like magic. I buy it through Dan Bailey’s (I’m sure it is also in their catalog), but I am starting to see it more and more in the shops in Bozeman that have a decent selection of tying materials.

I am curious about this Bennechi stuff though. Going by denier that people have posted here, it simply doesn’t compare to the Gudebrod for what I need though. Is this another case of a company labeling their product differently for marketing purposes?

Warren F.
Bozeman, MT

14

troutbum, the Bennechi makes some thread which is very, very thin. I believe it is 18 but since I don’t have any I won’t swear to it. The Bennechi is made in Italy, and isn’t available everywhere.

LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL