What is so great about Picric?

[scubacrazy123]

Hi all,
I am very much a new boy at this. I have bought a lot of materials and after advice from many on here I will be starting to tie my own as soon as my vice arrives.
Anyway, my question is about Picric.
Why use it? Why is it so popular? And finally, why use something which is so (Unless I am barking up the wrong tree?) dangerous and carcinogenic?
Is there nothing else which can be used to dye stuff yellow?
Again, forgive the stupid question, I am new after all
Thanks for the help, I learn a lot on here.
Gary.

[guest21]

Originally Posted by scubacrazy123

Hi all,
Anyway, my question is about Picric.
Why use it? Why is it so popular? And finally, why use something which is so (Unless I am barking up the wrong tree?) dangerous and carcinogenic?
Is there nothing else which can be used to dye stuff yellow?
Gary.

Nothing stupid in the question at all Gary and in answer to your question yes there is a safe alternative to picric - a suitable yellow dye!

Picric does produce a lovely subtle shade but over time it fades and yes there are health issues. Contrary to popular myth however it does not have 'magical powers' and the conversations I've had with trout would indicate that they're not too bothered either.

[Flyfishing-UK]

Picric simply stains materials a vivid shade of non fluro yellow and in a lot of cases the colour achieved could not be matched with dye. Its been used for hundreds and hundreds of years for staining materials and is commonly used in the medical industry to test blood etc As long as the person staining with picric washes out the finished article well then will be no problems.

[oakham orange]

Originally Posted by Flyfishing-UK

in a lot of cases the colour achieved could not be matched with dye.

Sam,

But in a lot of cases it can. I think its all in the head. Some dyers / tyers anglers are more confident using picric in their flies / materials, while others are not. Nothing wrong with that at all. Fishing is all about confidence.

But I 100% agree with lighthouse here. There has been too much said about picric and its ability to fill your bag full of fish when other similar patterns catch less.

I have patterns using picric stained materials and no doubt they catch fish, but so do the patterns that have been tied with similar dyed materials.

The picric stuff is simply there to catch anglers, not to catch extra fish. Anyone who pays £40+ for a 2 metre bag of picric fritz needs there head looked at in my opinion

OO

[Stillwater angler]

In a nutshell ...................... NOTHING...........

[hobble]

Oops greg mate didnt we say we go halves on it ,!!!!!!!!!!!!


Lol

[Former member]

Originally Posted by oakham orange

Sam,

But in a lot of cases it can. I think its all in the head. Some dyers / tyers anglers are more confident using picric in their flies / materials, while others are not. Nothing wrong with that at all. Fishing is all about confidence.

But I 100% agree with lighthouse here. There has been too much said about picric and its ability to fill your bag full of fish when other similar patterns catch less.

I have patterns using picric stained materials and no doubt they catch fish, but so do the patterns that have been tied with similar dyed materials.

The picric stuff is simply there to catch anglers, not to catch extra fish. Anyone who pays £40+ for a 2 metre bag of picric fritz needs there head looked at in my opinion

OO

Ditto Gregg

Gerry

[Flyfishing-UK]

Hi OO,

Not been funny but if someone can dye a material and get it identical to a strong genuine picric shade and depth of colour in a wide range of materials I clearly have wasted my time. The beauty of picric is because it stains materials it will take up to 99% of materials well (from my knowledge) whereas dye has its limits and without bleaching some materials you could not get a strong yellow in it that looks similar to picric.

One thing I do know is a lot of "picric" materials for sale are NOT picric and just fl yellow or yellow dye and it is noticeable for me to see the difference - sadly people buying the stuff don't.

I even know of some stuff been sold as picric stained that is a bright fl yellow - a guy I know stuck the peacock eyes under a uv light and the stuff glowed!

Sam

Originally Posted by oakham orange

Sam,

But in a lot of cases it can. I think its all in the head. Some dyers / tyers anglers are more confident using picric in their flies / materials, while others are not. Nothing wrong with that at all. Fishing is all about confidence.

But I 100% agree with lighthouse here. There has been too much said about picric and its ability to fill your bag full of fish when other similar patterns catch less.

I have patterns using picric stained materials and no doubt they catch fish, but so do the patterns that have been tied with similar dyed materials.

The picric stuff is simply there to catch anglers, not to catch extra fish. Anyone who pays £40+ for a 2 metre bag of picric fritz needs there head looked at in my opinion

OO

[Former member]

Originally Posted by Flyfishing-UK

Hi OO,

Not been funny but if someone can dye a material and get it identical to a strong genuine picric shade and depth of colour in a wide range of materials I clearly have wasted my time. The beauty of picric is because it stains materials it will take up to 99% of materials well (from my knowledge) whereas dye has its limits and without bleaching some materials you could not get a strong yellow in it that looks similar to picric.

One thing I do know is a lot of "picric" materials for sale are NOT picric and just fl yellow or yellow dye and it is noticeable for me to see the difference - sadly people buying the stuff don't.

I even know of some stuff been sold as picric stained that is a bright fl yellow - a guy I know stuck the peacock eyes under a uv light and the stuff glowed!

Sam

Sam I reckon my golden glow would be a match for picric



Also there are a lot of guys including myself that put a base of fluo yellow down before the picric to give it a bit more oommmph.

Cheers
Gerry

[hobble]

Have to say what a great colour, especially over the cree?

Just brings the whole fly to life