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Summary: Learn about and how to use threads for fly tying from our expert in the sport in this free how-to video on fly tying tips and techniques.
Views: 342 | Tags: gear, equipment, basic, supplies, fishing, trips, fly, tying, tackle, accessory, flies, lures, poles, rods, reels
About the Expert
Alvin Dedeaux Alvin Dedeaux has been a fly fishing guide and casting instructor for 12 years, and has been fly fishing for 32 years. He is a graduate of the first Joan Wul... read more
ALVIN DEDEUX: Now, the way we're going to attach all of these different materials to the hook is with thread. Now, thread will come in a bunch of different colors, a bunch of different thicknesses, a bunch of different strings and even different materials. This is not technically a thread, but it comes on a spool. It's actually lead wire that you would wrap around the hook before you put everything else on to give the hook a little--to give the fly a little bit of weight. It will also--will have actual wire. This is a painted wire. It's olive-colored wire. This is a copper wire. You could use that sometimes with the body of the fly. Sometimes, you'll wrap the wire around the fly to make a little bit more durable. Sometimes, you'll just put it on to add some accent. Usually, the smaller the fly, the smaller of the diameter of the thread you want to use, and then the heavier diameter thread will allow you to tie some heavier materials. And usually, they'll be coded with a number and usually the higher the number, the thinner the diameter of the thread is. So a 6-0T thread is going to be thinner--excuse me, heavier than an 8-OT thread. The higher the number is the smaller the diameter, an 8-OT being pretty fine and a 3-OT being pretty heavy. So that's how you'll decide which thread to use, by the color and usually by the thickness or the strength of it.