Good morning friends.. I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now that we are working on cleaning up the leftovers, my favorite is turkey soup and I'm sure you all have a special dish that's created from the leftovers.
I don't know how many of you tie with Pearsall's silk threads. Well I do and I have had a problem with them for some time. Their spools come unmarked, meaning the color is not labeled. This presents an issue when the fly pattern requires a certain color and I'm fumbling through my assortment of colors. Black, white, and red are colors that are pretty much easy to distinguish, it's the primrose, chestnut and others that are not so easy to distinguish.
Pearsall's has a number system for their colors which makes it easy to identify the color, now if only they would print that on the label my life would be easier. A reader of this blog was kind enough to send me a color chart, and it gives both the number and color of the silk. Now I finally know the color of thread that I've had for some time...it's salmonberry. I guess in the scope of things that are in our lives the color of silk does not make a big wave.."oh yeah"....
Here's a beautiful "North Country Spider"...It's called a Dark Spanish Needle. Tied on a size 14 hook, body of orange Pearsall's silk. a snipe breast feather, and peacock herl for the head.
I've been tinkering around with midges. The season is now at hand when these little bugs are a mainstay for winter trout. This simple fly is tied on a size 20 hook, black thread for the body, died natural mole and fox squirrel for the thorax.
Nice ties Alan. I too use pearsall's silk and have had good luck. I typically use orange or gold as they call it, purple, olive and yellow. I have had a hard time finding a bobbin though, I usually take a section off the spool and tie it to a standard sized spool I have on a bobbin. Deadly with partridge. Enjoy the weeekend.
ReplyDeleteChris MaineFly207
Anonymous
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Chris you don't need all of the silk colors, most folks do well with just a few of the basics. The colors featured above are all I need.
The bobbins are a bit pricey, that's why I have only two. Happy tying.
Alan, do you mind sharing where you found the bobbins?
DeleteChris did you see John's comment....that is an awesome price.
DeleteGreat thank you both!
DeleteChris MaineFly207
We had turkey soup and homemade bread for dinner last night. tomorrow night...turkey potpies!
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard a turkey pot pie is so comforting, and the turkey soup is a favorite.
Alan, Now I know what to do with one of the Hemmingway boxes I have. A "Silk Box". :)
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph I purchased the box at Hobby Lobby, the threads along with the two bobbins fit in it like it was custom made.
Hi Alan, Are you aware Pearsall is no longer producing silk thread, after all these years?
ReplyDeleteNote to Anonymous: Re: mini bobins, available at Wasatch Angling WasatchAngling@flytyingtools.com
Mini bobbin SKU 3023, $10.95 USD
John Dornik
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John I was not aware of that. I guess I'll have to pick up a few of my favorite colors.
Thanks for the link on the bobbins, great price.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI have used Pearlsall's silk for over thirty years now and also find the lack of description on the spool infuriating!
Nice Spanish Needle by the way - very effective over here in Yorkshire when the Willow flies (a small stonefly) are about.
Alistair
Anonymous
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Alistair I agree with you on the label.
I will give the Needle a shot, I have confidence in it's ability to catch trout.
Such pretty flies.
Alan
ReplyDeleteNice read and I like that Dark Spanish Needle. Good looking fly.
TROUT1
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Pete, I have yet to try it out. I have a pool on a certain brown trout stream in mind.
Very nice flies tied with the silk.... I enjoy these fly ties as well and like the look with the up-turned eye. Agreed on the color names...
ReplyDeleteDoug Korn, Fly Tyer
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Doug silk is such a pleasure to tie with, and I believe it adds to the fish taking ability of these flies. I think I have a solution to the names, will post it soon.
Alan nice! The original Pearsall's stopped awhile ago and then Hareline picked it up. As another reader pointed out they stopped. Many of the "famous" colors are already gone. I assume another company will take up the mantle again and buy the rights? I guess meanwhile there are some Japanese silk thread makers people use?? Joe Fox told me that but he did not know what the makers' names were...
ReplyDeleteAdam
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I wish I knew of the Pearsalls decision, I would have picked up a few spools. I tried another silk and was not happy with it.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteit is my understanding that Pearsall's Gossamer silk is being discontinued in the near future. I have stocked up on my favorited by scouring the web but there should still be some available. I recommend anyone that uses Pearsall's Gossamer check this out for themselves, but I was convinced that it will no longer be available in the near future.
Pat
NJpatbee
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Pat this is not good. Now I have to check out a lot of sites, and likely they will only have the colors that I don't want. Oh man!