What does it mean when a fly pattern calls for “well-waxed floss?” I’m new to the soft hackle language.
One would actually wax the tying floss or buy prewaxed floss if I’m getting your meaning right lastchance…
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
That wording is often found on older recipes, back in the old day when twisted silk thread and silk floss were the standard materials it was useful to wax the thread. You would unspool about a yard of material and run it over a block of pariffin or beeswax, wind it back up then use it in the normal fashion.
The wax helps to prevent fraying, lubricated the bobbin, helps slippery silk ‘stick’ to the hook shank and provides some moderate waterproofing. In general it makes silk easier to work with.
Some newer polyester and nylon tying threads come waxed directly from the factory. Modern flosses and threads are not as prone to rot or mildew and don’t need the wax so much. I find they work just fine with out the extra step.
floss off the spool will fray badly
well waxed floss will not