Strongest for diameter?

[rannoch raider]

Hi Folks,

I've been tying for some years now but never really had any reason to tie ultra small river dries. I'm going to tackle a few rivers in the year ahead so the challenge will have to be faced! I've been working my way down the hook sizes this week and have changed on to an 8 / 0 Uni thread for some patterns.
I have been having real problems with the fragility of this, I am finding that it will not even stand up to getting caught on a bit of rough skin on my fingers and it seems to fray very easily.
I have used the 6 / 0 for years without any problems and I find that it has good strength for it's low diameter but it's just too heavy for my current skill level on some 16's ,18's etc.
I have read the other thread on the forum which seems to be more general tying orientated and so felt it was worth opening another in the hope that someone could suggest a brand which could withstand the rigours of being worked by my bannana like fingers but which will also be fine enough for tying the real small stuff?
I noted someone singing the praises of pearsals silks. I like these too but again too thick .

Thanks
Jim

[scooby180169]

I,ve never tried it but mosser powersilk is suposed to be pretty strong ?

[Stillwater angler]

Gotta admit, i love using unio 8/0 so i tend to tye mostly with it.

Have you tried U.T.C. threads ?

[Scratch]

I used to use Danvilles Spiderweb for most of my river dries - still do.. on the rare occasions I tie any. You won't have that problem of snagging and fraying on your skin because it's single strand. Very easy to tie with... once you've got to grips with the breaking point. You need to fine tune the tension of your bobbin holder quite precisely, and then fine tune your handling of the stuff.

A regular and intensive manicure/skin care routine helps too Buy yourself a footfile, and some hand cream. Blitz the rough stuff and moisturise everyday! Yes, it's gay, but if you tie alot, it save alot of tears at the vice.

[greenock]

I've started tying most of my flies with Sheer 14/0. Its almost as strong as an 8/0 uni thread.

[sunkistbob]

Bit of a leftfield thought but would there be benefit to wearing surgical gloves so that the thread doesnt catch on your rough fingers?

Other than that, get yourself down to a Boots and ask for some moisturizer and a good skin scrub (that stuff with micro abrasion particles) and use it on your hands to break down the hard skin.

Best of luck!


Ben

[ACW]

When dressing wee ones ,I give my fingers a tidy up with an emery board and use some Norwegian hand cream to soften the snaggy bits ,helps me !

[dabhoy]

Very rare that I use uni 8/0 now as I am in a similar way that I was having a lot of problems with it.As Greenock said the Sheer threads are pretty good and their is also the wisp which is 8/0 and I have had no problems with either and I have rough skin.

[former member 7]

Hi,

I use 8/0 Unithread for all my tying & don't seem to have a problem as It's lightly waxed & seems less pprone to fraying. You could try rubbing your finger tips with a pumice stone to smooth off any rough skin. They're available
from the chemist & last years.

Best,

Kev

[dale rushby]

Powersilk or VN Dynema...about 6lb breaking strain...and equal to 12/0...so the bumph says...