silk thread

[troutnabout 0]

Just ordered Pearsall's silk thread, any suggestions for tying with it ?

[Trad 0]

Just ordered Pearsall's silk thread, any suggestions for tying with it ?

 

At one time it was more or less the only thread available. Traditionally used for a large number of spiders and wet flies. Some info here;

 

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-online.d.../Silk/silk.html

[Bruce Derington 0]

I guess the real question would be, why did you buy it? The "soft hackle fly" uses pearsall's silk and is a very effective pattern. There are a couple of types of Pearsall's, Pearsall's Marabou which ia a 2 ply strand and the gossamer 1 ply. The Marabou is more like floss and makes great bodies

[troutnabout 0]

Bruce: I bought it to tie soft hackles. I thought I read sone where that you should wear gloves when handling it????

[Bruce Derington 0]

When we tie with the japanese silks we use gloves to prevent snagging and to keep the oils from our skin away from the silk. what type of thread did you buy?

[troutnabout 0]

It"s the 3/0 Gossamer silk thread.

[Bruce Derington 0]

Have you tied the soft hackles B4

[troutnabout 0]

only a few with regular thread or floss,no silk. I want to tie in the traditional manner. Love the simplicity

[Trad 0]

It"s the 3/0 Gossamer silk thread.

 

 

That thread is too heavy for most soft hackles. The 3/0...4/0 is Pearsall´s "Naples" thread. For soft hackles etc you need Pearsall´s "gossamer" which is about 6/0.

 

You don´t need to wear gloves, just make sure your hands are clean, as the silk will take up dirt and oils from your fingers. many soft hackle flies use waxed thread.

[troutnabout 0]

thanks for the tips. i'll see if I can change the size to 6/0. the oerder hasn't shipped yet.

[Bruce Derington 0]

We could go to the virtual classroom and I could show you how I tie them

[troutnabout 0]

That would be great Bruce. When is a good time for you? anything later today?

[rockworm 0]

troutnabout

 

Although silk is traditionally wound by hand, my hands are generally too rough to handle silk (or nylon, for that matter.) So I use a mini-bobbin to hold and apply silk threads. The bobbin can also be spun to twist or un twist the silk. Pearsall's Gossamer (and Pearsall's Marabou floss) comes on a small spool which fits beautifully and turns smoothly in the bobbin.

 

 

[troutnabout 0]

Thanks rockworm. Just ordered one :headbang: