Best alternative to pearsalls ??

[ickypimp]

Hi

I am mad for tying spiders at the moment, i only have a few colours of pearsalls any have been looking to buy more, however they are a bit pricy and not so easy to come by round here... what do you find the best alternative in terms of diameter and texture as an alternative to pearsalls...

[steve collyer]

I don't really know an alternative, but while £3 might seem steep for 45 metres of silk, spiders are as you know very sparse dressings so you'll get at least a couple of hundred flies out of a spool.
When looked at from that perspective, it isn't too painful is it?
The only real gripe is if you're tying very few spiders which all use different coloured silks.

[emerger1981]

BLIMEY! it was £1.70 when i last bought some,
it was only a few months ago try lakeland

[BRUCE1]

MARTIN THERE ISNT AN ALTERNATIVE REALLY ?????

martin have a word with Phil ..Spidersplus

Flytying Boutique - for unusual and interesting materials




PS what colours are you after in particular Martin ???

[iamasmith]

Give Hugh at O'Reillys a call, here's his site OReillys Fishing - Fly fishing tackle and fishing trips, contact details are on there.

I was trying to get some Purple Gossamer (8) and was REALLY chuffed at how cheap it was when it turned up. I'm not going to tell you exactly what it was in case he gave me a rate

[North Country Angler]

Buy direct from Pearsalls website - you know it makes sense. They tend to deliver within 36 hours aswell......

M

[flyfishwithme]

Martin,
In fact any thread as long as it matches the original patterns will do. There is a myth surrounding the use of Pearsall's as the only thread used. In fact many of the original tiers used normal home threads and it was left to Edmonds & Lee to SUGGEST that the Pearsall's Gossamer colour scheme was a good guide. Since then it has become law. I don't have the original statement at hand but I will find it.
Now even the dye lots from Pearsall's in those days differed from now because of the different dyes used (vegetable versus modern chemicals) and they probably differed between batches.
The point here is that if you want tie North Country flies with Pearsall's, then you will be matching the flies in Edmonds & Lee and that is not a bad thing. However there are alternatives.
If you decide NOT to use Pearsalls, then look around. The thickness you want is akin to 6/0

[ickypimp]

I have tries several brands of 6/0 thread Phil however all the ones i have tried have either had the wrong kind of twist which gave the body a texture or they seemed too shiny..

[ickypimp]

I have tries several brands of 6/0 thread Phil however all the ones i have tried have either had the wrong kind of twist which gave the body a texture or they seemed too shiny..

[flyfishwithme]

Compared to Pearsall's? Probably so. The point here is that you can use alternatives. You can reduce the shine by applying way (although may are pre-waxed). The fish won't mind I can assure you.