lostnwilderness 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Smallest Thread Possible? I have always heard to use the smallest thread possible especially on dries. I use standard 8/0 on most of mine. My question is what size do you typically use, more importantly – do any of you use 12/0 or 14/0? What brand and type? Do you think it helps or makes a difference? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrequentTyer 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use 8/0 for just about everything. I tried some 14/0 for a while but felt it made me more careless. I only want to use as much thread as necessary, and 8/0 keeps me honest. Mike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fish For Life 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use mostly 6/0 for my flies. Should i be using smaller for dries? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dcap240 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Same here, 8/0 for pretty much everything. I use 6/0 or 140 denier for some bigger flies but never go smaller then 8/0 or 70 denier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chase Creek 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use Griffith's Sheer 14/0 for most of my tying. Seems pretty strong for a 14/0, and comes in lots of colors. Keeps the bulk down. Of course, I tie mainly dries,soft hackles, and nymphs in a limited range of sizes (12 - 18), no bass bugs, etc. I would think 6/0 or 8/0 would be fine if you pay attention to the amount of wraps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use 14/0 shear and it does help in size 18 and below. Also a big fan of benecchi 12/0 but sourcing it is becoming harder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
netabrookie 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use 8/0 on flies down to 18 or 20 and use Uni-Caenis or Danville Spiderweb for the really little ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher K 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 8/0 for everything here too, although I never tie beyond a #22. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troutbum11 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 8/0 for the small stuff sz.14-24 and 6/0 for anything bigger. GSP for spinning hair of course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I have been using 10/0 Veevus thread for most things even big flies. Veevus thread has a MUCH higher break strength in all their sizes. That means you can use a very fine thread and not give up strength. I am slowly replacing most of my threads with Veevus brand threads of one to two sizes smaller. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
planettrout 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 This: ...for #16 and smaller PT/TB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sniperfreak223 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I believe that the UNI Caenis and Trico threads are somewhere in the 17/0 to 18/0 range, but their use is pretty much limited to flies in the #24-#32 range...although I do use white UNI Trico thread for tying the bodies on classic salmon flies to keep bulk to a minimum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
williamhj 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Awhile ago I bought some at an Orvis that was 16/0 or 18/0 and I used it for small flies, 20's and smaller. Use Veevus 14/0 for a lot of my trout flies. However I don't think the x/0 rating is really accurate to tell you which is the "smallest" . That is, one brands 10/0 might be another brands 8/0 when it comes to diameter. I like the 14/0 because it has a good break strength while not creating much mass on the hook shank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eide 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I use a mix of these: I have comparison pictures here: http://dryfly.me/2013/04/thread-uni-17-tmc-16-and-sheer-14/ on how they build up on a #24 Personally I use the sheer 14/0 for all my flies, up to #12 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 I typically use 17/0 Uni on all of my flies except my leech patterns. I am very comfortable using it to the point I use the "split thread" technique with it. I also like using 10/0 Gudebrod in white, black and olive.I don't tie very large flies. A large percentage of them in the #14 to #26 range.I like the Uni because it goes "transparent" when you hit it with CA or UV Resinsand it takes marker dies rather well.For larger patterns I use 8/0 Gudebrod in white , olive, tan, black and rust.The frustrating part of using 17/0 Uni is if you have any rough parts of skin on your fingersit always seems to snag the thread and make it fray.Kimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites