complete daft question from a newbie

[kev57]

I'm about to take up fly tying and intend to slowly acquire materials to make traditional wet flies and spiders a la W S Roger Fogg. That book was written in 1979. Have there been advances in materials since then ie is there a cheaper/better alternative to pearsall silk?

[jindra]

There is about gazillion new synthetic materials since 1979, but for spiders the Pearsalls silk still reigns supreme.

Originally Posted by kev57

I'm about to take up fly tying and intend to slowly acquire materials to make traditional wet flies and spiders a la W S Roger Fogg. That book was written in 1979. Have there been advances in materials since then ie is there a cheaper/better alternative to pearsall silk?

[emerger1981]

other materials yes.. silk.. no
welcome to the world of being skint try to make sure you get the materials needed for the flys you want.. it wont last long i warn you

[spidersplus]

Kev,

You could use ordinary tying threads ... BUT there really is nothing to compare with Pearsall's silks.

Translucency of colour when waxed, segmentation effect on the body - even the colours; NO ONE has yet produced a thread to match the Pearsalls purple thread for example.

Although Pearsall's might seem expensive, a size 16 spider will only use about 7 inches of thread at the most - so a spool will last a long, long time.

Stick with the original recipe and you cannot go wrong!

Kind regards

[kev57]

thanks for all the replies much appreciated and reassuring. Now just need to get my cash back from the guy on Ebay and I can make a start. Anyone know of a reasonably priced source for Pearsalls silk?

[wye_wizard]

spidersplus for your silks mate. jon.

[christy27]

Originally Posted by kev57

I'm about to take up fly tying and intend to slowly acquire materials to make traditional wet flies and spiders a la W S Roger Fogg. That book was written in 1979. Have there been advances in materials since then ie is there a cheaper/better alternative to pearsall silk?

You say traditional wet flies/spiders and mention a book written in 79. The key here I think is the word traditional. Traditional surely means it is the tradition to tie these flies a certain way, using certain materials. That tradition can be traced back at least 100 years and more. The original writers on the subject were W. C. Stewart, Pritt and Edmonds and Lee. Within reason they all stuck to the same agenda. If you wish to tie traditional flies, then you to, must also follow suit. Well, they wouldn't be traditional if you didn't would they.

So to answer your question, there is no alternative to pearsal silk, it is the one used when tying these flies. Materials...the same, a Partridge is still a Partridge...as are numerous other birds feathers used. Hope that makes sense.

Chris.

[kev57]

Originally Posted by christy27

You say traditional wet flies/spiders and mention a book written in 79. The key here I think is the word traditional. Traditional surely means it is the tradition to tie these flies a certain way, using certain materials. That tradition can be traced back at least 100 years and more. The original writers on the subject were W. C. Stewart, Pritt and Edmonds and Lee. Within reason they all stuck to the same agenda. If you wish to tie traditional flies, then you to, must also follow suit. Well, they wouldn't be traditional if you didn't would they.

So to answer your question, there is no alternative to pearsal silk, it is the one used when tying these flies. Materials...the same, a Partridge is still a Partridge...as are numerous other birds feathers used. Hope that makes sense.

Chris.

point taken! just didnt want to fork out loads of money on silk only to discover that everyone else is using the latest all singing, all dancing revolutionary thread.

[BRUCE1]

kev, have a look through this online book for original patterns etc if you come to any blank pages just keep turning tthe pages over for more patterns ..

[Mrtrout]

Originally Posted by BRUCE1

kev, have a look through this online book for original patterns etc if you come to any blank pages just keep turning tthe pages over for more patterns ..

Bruce and his links, like a dog with two tails.
S.