I was wondering what brand everybody was using for most of their tying. UNI? UTC? or any other brands. What advantages do some brands have over another, if any? Does anyone use more than one brand of tying thread, depending on what type of fly they are tying? Or does it really matter?
Thanks,
Logan
Down in Alabama fish are not picky at all so we use These Here, Those There, and Thems brand of everything…
These Here Threads, Those There Hackles, and Thems Zonker Strips.
I use Pre Waxed 6/0 Thread for most everything and havn’t found a lot of difference, if any, between them brandwise.
Hi Logan,
I mostly use Uni and Danvilles, though I have some Pearsall’s silk as well. I’ll also use regular thread on larger flies as I can get some really neat colours (mulberry, bright purples, odd greens or greys, etc). If it’s too bulky though, then I’ll just use that for the body and use black 8/0 for the head.
I have variety of threads and bought them those there that were on sale. I find the UTC stuff to be very strong for it’s diameter. I’m pretty easy to get along with though.
I like Orvis threads.
They are on sale now.
Have a great day,
chris
I use Danville most, but also like Ultra a lot and have a little Uni too. Like waxed better than not waxed.
Gudebrod:( which is no longer being made:(
I’ve always liked Danville 6/0 mainly because I’m used to it and it lies flat with less build-up than a lot of others that I also have. But also, I don’t tie very small flies so I don’t get involved with the finer threads.
Hi All,
I use Danville’s 6/0, Uni 6/0, and Uni 8/0 primarily, and of those the Danville’s most of all. The Uni is used for larger flies, normally #10 and larger, or with foam #12 and larger.
The reasons I use the Danville’s are as listed by Ray. Some of the times I use the Uni 8/0 instead of the Danville’s, normally for reasons of color choice.
For really small flies I go to Griffiths 14/0.
Regards,
Gandolf
Thanks for all of the info. I’m pretty new to tying so i haven’t had the chance to experiment with different types of thread. I’m using UNI now. 3/0 for spinning deer hair, but 8/0 and 6/0 for most of salmon flies. It seems that a lot of people are pleased with Danville and Ultra though. I’ll have to give it a try.
If I want the thread to lie flat I’ll use Danville or UTC in the appropriate sizes. If not, I’ll use Uni. This is providing the colors are right. Benecchi 12/0 for small flies.
Joe
uni 8/0. If you want it to lay flatter or prevent it from cutting some delicate material, you can always untwist the thread by spinning your bobbin counterclockwise a few turns.
If you tie small flies, take a look at Ed Engle’s “Tying Small Flies”. He rates a bunch of different threads. His favorite was Gudebrod 10/0, but I have some of it, and I don’t like it. I think it ties like floss, i.e. it’s always fraying and catching on rough spots on your fingers. For really small flies, I like Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer, otherwise I use uni 8/0. For larger flies, e.g. spey & dee flies used for steelhead fishing, I’ll use 3/0. I don’t use 6/0 for much of anything.
Ed Engle says that the differnent size numbers listed for different manufacturer’s threads are meaningless because there is no standard for sizes. He says Danvile Flymaster 6/0(waxed) ties like a 10/0 thread and he really likes it for small flies. I don’t like it at all for small flies because I find it too bulky.
Uni 6/0 and 8/0. I like the selection of colours and the strength for diameter, mind you I have a good stock of UNI I picked up several years ago. Use UNI 3/0 for spinning deer hair or Kevlar.
uni 8/0
danvilles 6/0
danvilles flat waxed nylon
I like Uni 6/0 and 8/0 threads as well as the UTC in all sizes (210, 140 and 70 denier). UTC has some fantastic florescent colors for tying Clousers and bigger bass bugs. The more I tie with UTC threads, the more I like them.
I have an array of UNI thread from 8/0 thru 3/0 sizes because they come in a variety of colors. Danville Monocord is also a good thread. I would like to see Gudebrod in more colors and would probably purchase more if my sources would stock more of them. I rememebr the old silk days when Herter’s was the source of supply. I still have some for posterity sake
They have cut back on some of their fly tying threads but they still make thread.
Gudebrod 10/0.
Was fortunate enough to catch a thread posted here around 1 - 1 1/2 yrs ago about the shortage and bought 50 spools total of my fav. 4 colors.
Other than that it’s Uni 8/0. In actuality I don’t do so much tying that I really can whine much though. There’s a lot of good stuff available to us.
Jeremy.
Correct me if I am wrong
BUT!
Gudebond sold out to orvis a while back.( sold thread material )
Try the orvis thread, it is identical to the older gudebond.
Have a great weekend,
chris