New Pearsall's Silk Substitute

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Their colors look good on my computer and the price is reasonable. I may have to order a few colors to experiment.

[flyfud1]

This is probably against all the rules of the Brotherhood of the Flymph; however, I just use YLI white silk and color with a waterproof marker to anything I want. YLI 100 is about 30% finer than Persall's but it seems stronger to me.

Charlie Vestal

[redietz]

Good to know!

[bearbutt]

I just use YLI white silk and color with a waterproof marker to anything I want. YLI 100 is about 30% finer than Persall's but it seems stronger to me.

LOL--I just dip mine in the glass of Oloroso I am drinking--instant 6B!

bb

[Old Hat]

Seems a little spendy to me and only available as an oversees purchase. Let us know Ron if you trying it out.

[driftless]

Re: Silk sizes.

A couple of rod makers tested Pearsall's Gossamer, YLI 100 & others. In a 1/2 inch wrapping, Pearsall's Gossamer did it in 108 turns, YLI 100 in 103 turns. The YLI is ever so slightly thicker than the Pearsall's Gossamer. Pearsall's Naples is 87 wraps for the half inch, so it's much thicker than the YLI 100.

I've used the YLI 100 to wrap rods & tie flies. It's is really a nice thread and it is available in lots of nice colors.

[Old Hat]

I have been playing with a lot of different silks lately. I've grown rather fond of the Kimono 100 which is a smaller diameter than Pearsall's, has a great sheen and a lot of good colors. The only issue is that it is on big spools that won't fit any of the normal bobbin holders. I use Norvise bobbin holders at home so not an issue for me but won't fit bobbin holders. Works great for small block made dubbing ropes though.

[Roadkill]

The Kimono silk will work fine as my sub for Pearsall's when I am out of it.

Carl,
I solved the bobbin problem with some old India flared bobbins with longer arms that bent just fine to work with the Kimono spools.

IMGP9437 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

[hankaye]

Roadkill, Howdy;

Where did ya find the Bobbins? Ebay?

hank

[Roadkill]

Hank,

Cabela's catalog 20 years ago.

In my home town an Elementary Principal asked me to get involved in an after school homework program with flytying as one of the rewards. Then the next year another asked me to do Outdoor School classes in fly tying and casting, and next the Junior High Principal had me setup a Flytying club. These were some of my leftover tools from those days. I bought some things, got price reductions from Orvis & Scientific Anglers, and some freebies from Cabela's, Whiting, Umpqua Feather Merchants, and my chapter of Trout Unlimited.