thread size type and avoiding large heads

[randomname]

Hi

I was wondering what thread size and type to use to avoid building up too large a head when finishing flies?

The type of thing I'm tying at the mo is size 16 CDC Olive duns and emergers and I seem to find it diffilcult to avoid building up quite a large head.

This may be a technique thing too as well as size\thickness of thread?

For instance when tying in CDC feathers as a loop or bunch it seems that to bind them down over relatively thick stalks a large head builds up quickly

Will
p.s have returned to fly tying after a few misspsent years so can tie but am probably a bit out of date with modern techniques

[arkle]

Hi & welcome back. What thread are you currently using ? 12 & 14/0 seem to be popular for this type of application. Or if you want strength & don't mind a very smooth finish (not as good for dubbing) then one of the G.S.P's like Powersilk or Nano-thread might be what worth considering.

[flytire]

it may not be the thread size but how many wraps are used to build the head. 3-4 wrap whip finish should be more than enough. even less if you use the dave whitlock method using crazy glue.

[gus262]

I tie down to size 18 with ordinary Uni-thread 8/0, then onto the finer stuff like UTC 70 or Griffiths sheer for small flies. I'd say the bulky head problem you're having is 90% technique, 10% thread choice.

Make every turn of thread count; never use five wraps when two will do. Never use lots of thread wraps to cover a mistake early on in the tie. trim butts of materials as neatly tapering as you can (good quality sharp scissors and a scalpel blade are useful here) so that there's less to wrap over. I always start a fly with the first turn of thread a mm or so back from the eye, and try to retain that tiny piece of bare shank for the head.

[shpeil]

I also use UNI 8/0 down to about size 18, but CDC feathers are a difficulty owing to the bulk being tied in. I add a touch of varnish before binding in the CDC ends with just a couple of wraps. For smaller flies I switch to finer stuff. Gus' advice on technique is all sound and I try and follow it. I've recently been watching Dave Downie's youtube videos (having watched Davie McPhail's many times already!) and I see he uses 14/0 whisp thread for everything.

[darwin]

Look at Gordon Griffith's 14/0, spiderweb or maybe Benecchi thread. These are the ones I use going down to #26. A box of different coloured Sharpies also helps tinting the thread to a usable colour.

[randomname]

all useful info- thanks. Particularly the tips on technique- already making a real difference

[shuck raider]

I've been using Semperfli Nano 12/0 for smaller flies, fantastic stuff. Unbreakable, I've bent a size 8 B175 in the vice with it, just to see Tough on scissors, mind, use your old ones. Available here from Grommit

[wingman]

Economy with thread turns is sometimes what counts as mentioned above, when I tie a small spider I start to wind on the thread about 2 - 3mm back from the eye. When I tie in the hackle - 2 wraps, when I tie off the hackle - 2 wraps, when I whip finish - 2 wraps, this keeps the head small and in a similar profile to the rest of the body.