Thread question

[Nick Williams 0]

I keep seeing fly tying videos and their thread doesn't seem to have any problems. No matter the color or what not. Every time I'm tying a fly my thread always seems to get frayed, though it never breaks it still always seems to get all frayed up and then looks bad on the fly as well. I have several different spools of color and type, but they all seem to do it. So what is the problem with it? Am I using cheaper thread they are? Is my bobbin not as nice?? It is very frustrating!

[Stippled Popper 0]

You could be experiencing the effect of the thread coming into contact with the hook point. With some threads, touching them with

rough skin can cause fibers to fray.

 

What specific thread are you using? Or what kinds?

[flytire 0]

if your bobbin holder has a metal tube, there may be a burr of some kind inside the tube thats fraying the thread. get rid of it and buy yourself a bobbin holder that has either a ceramic tip on the end of the tube or a bobbin holder that has a ceramic tube. that should eliminate frayed thread.

 

dont forget to adjust the arms that hold the spool. spread them apart slightly if the tension it too great on the spool.

[Chase Creek 0]

If the fraying occurs with all your threads, the problem is probably your bobbin. Get a ceramic or glass bead tipped bobbin and that should take care of the problem. The comment about rough hands is also right on the mark. I have that same problem with my hands, and have to be carefull how I handle the thread. Hand lotion can help with that also.

[Nick Williams 0]

Yeah, I thought at first that it was my hands or the hook point, but then I started watching myself and that wasn't it. The majority of my thread isn't high quality, it came in a fly tying kit as I've just gotten started, but I did go by some and it just seems to keep doing it. Kevlar, flat waxed, normal black thread, they all do it. So maybe it is the bobbin. What are some good ones and how much will they run me?

[agn54 0]

I like Griffin and Dr Slick ceramics, both run about $12-15.

[Stippled Popper 0]

Notice the thread as it leaves the spool before it enters the bobbin tube. If the thread is pristine before entering the tube and messed up when it leaves the tube, you have discovered the problem.

[skidoosh 0]

Yeah, I thought at first that it was my hands or the hook point, but then I started watching myself and that wasn't it. The majority of my thread isn't high quality, it came in a fly tying kit as I've just gotten started, but I did go by some and it just seems to keep doing it. Kevlar, flat waxed, normal black thread, they all do it. So maybe it is the bobbin. What are some good ones and how much will they run me?

 

You can get them for anywhere from $10.00 on up. Check around and check the trading floor section here. One is OK having two can really be handy but start with what you can afford. You also don't have to have ceramic. It helps on some threads but not all. I like Griffin bobbins and also am a bit fan of the Rite Bobbin- cerimag for deer hair work. I had the same problem you had with a bobbin. You can't really polish the burr out so chuck it and don't look back.

[Nick Williams 0]

Yeah, I thought at first that it was my hands or the hook point, but then I started watching myself and that wasn't it. The majority of my thread isn't high quality, it came in a fly tying kit as I've just gotten started, but I did go by some and it just seems to keep doing it. Kevlar, flat waxed, normal black thread, they all do it. So maybe it is the bobbin. What are some good ones and how much will they run me?

 

You can get them for anywhere from $10.00 on up. Check around and check the trading floor section here. One is OK having two can really be handy but start with what you can afford. You also don't have to have ceramic. It helps on some threads but not all. I like Griffin bobbins and also am a bit fan of the Rite Bobbin- cerimag for deer hair work. I had the same problem you had with a bobbin. You can't really polish the burr out so chuck it and don't look back.

 

Where is the trading floor section? Thanks for everyone's replies, they are helpful! I hopefully can get this part of my tying under control and move on to other problems! Yay!

[novabass 0]

Yeah, I thought at first that it was my hands or the hook point, but then I started watching myself and that wasn't it. The majority of my thread isn't high quality, it came in a fly tying kit as I've just gotten started, but I did go by some and it just seems to keep doing it. Kevlar, flat waxed, normal black thread, they all do it. So maybe it is the bobbin. What are some good ones and how much will they run me?

 

You can get them for anywhere from $10.00 on up. Check around and check the trading floor section here. One is OK having two can really be handy but start with what you can afford. You also don't have to have ceramic. It helps on some threads but not all. I like Griffin bobbins and also am a bit fan of the Rite Bobbin- cerimag for deer hair work. I had the same problem you had with a bobbin. You can't really polish the burr out so chuck it and don't look back.

 

Where is the trading floor section? Thanks for everyone's replies, they are helpful! I hopefully can get this part of my tying under control and move on to other problems! Yay!

 

I had this very same problem and it was the bobbin that came with the kit I bought. I have a Griffin ceramic bobbin now and I LOVE IT!! It made a huge difference. I no longer have any problems at all with thread fraying.

[Fly Fishing Russia 0]

I keep seeing fly tying videos and their thread doesn't seem to have any problems. No matter the color or what not. Every time I'm tying a fly my thread always seems to get frayed, though it never breaks it still always seems to get all frayed up and then looks bad on the fly as well. I have several different spools of color and type, but they all seem to do it. So what is the problem with it? Am I using cheaper thread they are? Is my bobbin not as nice?? It is very frustrating!

 

I tie 90+ % of my flies with the 0,1 mm mono fishing line - it is transparent and very durable. It is especially handy to use on streamers and on any big flies.

[Chris Patterson 0]

I've had it happen too. Save that thing for wire, a slight burr won't hurt there and your inner tightwad won't be offended. As far as a replacement goes, my personal favorite is a rite bobbin standard, they're a bit pricey but sooooo nice