Silk thread is widely used in the construction of soft-hackles, spiders and flymphs. It has it's qualities and that can be really seen in flies that use the silk as the only body material. Flies that have fully dubbed bodies a normal cotton or synthetic thread is fine. Silk thread can be waxed which gives it a different look, I think it has a much richer tone to it. You can see what YLI silk in orange looks like coming off the spool, quite bright. The old masters of the North Country Fly used wax on most of their patterns and for good reason I'm certain, and no one can deny the effectiveness of these classic flies.
There are many waxes on the market. This is one that I like. It's easy to work with, not drying out if I leave the cap off overnight.
I strip off about 18" of thread from the spool. I then run it through the wax. From eye to the back at the point of the hook, and back to the eye. I also like to wind back a few turns to create a slight taper.
Some dubbing is applied. The color of the dubbing is entirely up to you.
The waxed silk Orange-Partridge.
Sausage and peppers. Last nights supper, and this mornings breakfast.
That sausage and peppers looks good Alan. Here in NM we'd probably be adding some green chile.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to pick up a few spools of that YLI silk to try. Maybe orange, green and yellow?
Can you give me a place to purchase it and some numbers you like?
Deletebillp
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Bill I add red pepper flakes as I eat it. I like the heat.
https://www.roserushbrooke.com/yli-100wt-silk-thread-200/yli-100wt-silk-thread-200.html
231-243-248-201-264......a good company and these are the numbers of the threads I use.
Thanks, I'll give them a try.
DeleteOnce again, I've eaten breakfast before viewing you blog. Although the sausage and peppers looks mighty good.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark the good thing about sausage and peppers it can be enjoyed any time of the day...
Alan - I still like old fashioned bee's wax and the Pearsall silk which I still have some left. I will be very sad when I use the last of it!
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Mark Pearsall's can be found at times on ebay, but it's so expensive. I have some but I mostly use the YLI.
I've only used silk once. I really liked how it felt going around the hook. It gave me a intrinsic feeling to how secure my wraps were. I should get some again. It was the price of it that shied me away before.
ReplyDeleteFeather Chucker
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Silk does make a difference. The color and texture for lack of a better word shows in the water. YLI is priced reasonably.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeletePearsall's Silk and Cobbler's Wax are a perfect recipe for soft hackles - throw in a light haze of dubbing and the permutations are almost endless........
My local Orvis store had Pearsall's in Primrose, Straw, Old Gold and Claret all reduced to clear earlier in the year (£3.50 / $4.50 per spool). The temptation was to great and I had to clear them out!
Love the sausage patty and peppers by the way - we had family over this weekend just gone. We cooked some Spanish tapas and included some fried green Padron peppers with sea salt, they were amazing (especially the odd hot one!)
Thanks
Alistair
Alistair
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I love mole for whispy touch dubbing. So livly in the water. At 4.50 a spool I think you got a fine deal.
Your sausage combo sounds delicious, and the surprise heat adds much to the dish.
Oh man, sausage and peppers is right in my wheelhouse, along with onions in that mix too. Hard to beat on a fresh piece of good bread or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI've said it many times before, love the soft hackles which is mostly what I fished this year. With or without dubbing, they are so effective.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, but my first chance to fish in quite some time so I am going despite the weather. I will be prepared, and I bet I have the best zones to myself.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Jeanette, Alan!
Sam
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Sam most times onions are in the mix, but you have to have them and well I'll leave it at that...
Many times I've seen your reports on fishing and most times a soft-hackle was the fly of choice.
Go fishing today, the weather won't be that bad according to this mornings "guess"...good luck, and a Happy Thanksgiving.
Alan, what I do, on occasion, is add a very few strands of gold antron trimmed short, to the tail of any soft hackle. Instantly, it fishes for an emerger. Can be a killer pattern. Ultra simple to tie.
ReplyDeleteSausage without onion, imo, is like soup without salt. I like to carmelize onion strands first and add them to the mix. CUIDADO! So delish it will make your brains fall out.
John Dornik
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John that's an excellent idea. A sort of shuck.
I like your comment "soup without salt". I usually have onions but, well you know how it is.
Looks great Alan, almost wet :)
ReplyDeleteHave a super thanksgiving!
Hibernation
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Will a super thanksgiving to you and family.