Silk Threads

[Soft-hackle]

Hi All,
I know we've probably touched this subject in various places on our site, before, but I think it'd be helpful to many newcomers to post information on places where silk threads are available for purchase. Most of us know different places to purchase the most obvious and well-known brand-Pearsall's, however there are many other suppliers available. Here's a few I found:

http://www.redrockthreads.com/ If you look under the different brands, you will find some manufacturers produce silk threads. YLI and Gutermann are two, but there are a few others.

http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/cat ... /products/

If you know other resources both in the USA or close by OR in England and Europe--post them up.

A brief note--I find using silk thread for making bodies, a lot easier to tie with than using a floss, such as Pearsall's Marabou. There is less fraying. Many use Gossamer, but I like something a bit heavier for bare silk bodies. I have a few old spools of Botticelli size A silk sewing thread. This works quite well for me.

Mark

[Joe Billingsley]

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/yli-silk-thread-1.html

Tremendous selection of colors and fast service.

Joe

[hankaye]

Howdy all;

Ok Mark, you sprung this gate so I'm going to ask this question of everyone.

As a RAW beginner to fly tying (Flymphs in particular), which threads (cotton, silk, other), which colo(u)rs and made by whom would YOU recommend?
As always, everyone's opinions are valued,
hank

[Soft-hackle]

Hank,
Here's my suggestions as a start: Gossamer silk for tying in Primrose Yellow, Claret or Crimson, Olive, Gray, Purple, Brown. Other colors can be added as you see fit. For bodies you need a heavier silk thread in colors that match the Gossamer. Manufacturer is up to you. Look at some of the links. Here's a link for Gossamer:

http://www.jimsflyco.com/products/Pears ... 09-40.html

Flosses can be used for plain un-dubbed bodies. Pearsall's Marabou floss works as do others. If you want to use silk thread for these, you can use Gossamer, but I feel it's too fine and requires lots of wrapping. Other heavier silk threads are available, as you see, to substitute for Buttonhole Twist. If you search you might find buttonhole twist, but as I said, I think it's too heavy, unless you untwist it and use a strand or two. While I've wrapped silk floss using a material clip, silk gloves are the best for keeping it from fraying, which often happens with rough hands. Also, many flosses slip down if you taper the abdomen/body and ribbing with wire will help. However, I've had little problem handling silk sewing threads with a clip, and often, just my hands and there's no slippage.

Leisenring suggested using no tying thread under his Tup's Nymph on the abdomen. You simply tie on the thread, near where the thorax will begin, wrap it down and back over itself in tight touching wraps to create the abdomen. This leaves just silk on the hook shank. Tie off the thread and clip off excess. Then complete the thorax, wrap the hackle and finish.

I have used cotton Embroidery threads for abdomens on some of my flies, and while not as translucent when wet, they do work. I have begun to translate these patterns using silk instead, and definitely like them better. I do not use cotton for tying the fly or for dubbing onto, just as a body material or ribbing.

Uni-thread, as well as other manufacturers, offer very fine tying threads in colors that match Gossamer very well. These are usually synthetics, but are great for tying small flies. The choice is yours. traditionally, Pearsall's is the tying thread used on flymphs, but there's no rule to say what you can use.

Mark

[hankaye]

Mark, thanks for the answer. As usual, your answers to my questions are like a LARGE multi-course meal for my brain.
Therfore allow me to properly digest this information (burrrp), and I'll let you know what I decied.

Heading back to Utah during the comming week so I may miss a day or two, ... I will catch up.
hank

[Soft-hackle]

OK, Hank,
I'll see about getting a few illustrations together to demonstrate the tying technique I've outlined, above.

Mark

[hankaye]

Mark, Thanks, that is a nice gesture, I do appericate it.
hank

[Joe Billingsley]

By the way, although certainly not traditional, the variegated silk threads - http://www.roserushbrooke.com/yli-silk-variegated.html (and at many other places, I'm sure) - make some absolutely beautiful flies.

Joe

[CreationBear]

Joe-- I managed to abscond with the "three-pack" that my wife brought home from a quilt show this summer...definitely has potential, but a bit slippery for this newbie to work with.

[Joe Billingsley]

CreationBear,
Are they the YLI silk variegated threads? You found them slicker than their solid color silk?
Joe