Floss bodies on winged wet flies

[zen leecher]

I've been perusing all the patterns on this (below) website and was left with a question about the floss bodies called out. I wondered if it was rayon floss or silk floss? For years I had the thought that rayon floss was used and the bodies were bright as they were attractor flies. Now that Ron Eagle Elk got me switched over to Pearsall's silks I'm wondering which floss as the silk flosses change color when wet.

Here's the website and it's of wetflies of the 1930's.

Bill

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feature ... rchive.php

[Greenwell]

Bill,

Traditionally, the floss used has been silk; rayon is a more recent (past 60 years or so!) innovation. I have found silk much nicer to work with as it doesn’t have the tendency to "slide" when tying as rayon does. The silk colors are a bit more subtle too. Rayon's chief attributes are its lower cost and many color options.

The traditional application of floss was winged wet (and dry) trout flies, especially those associated with North America in the tradition of Marbury and Bergman, as well as salmon and streamer patterns. Floss was used extensively in the past for commercially tied flies because it was inexpensive, easy to work with, and came in many colors. While not uncommon, it has since fallen out of favor with many tiers and is used mostly to replicate older patterns.

Floss of all types has the unhappy habit of fraying easily, especially when cut by a trout's teeth. This trait was known a long time ago and many of the smaller trout flies can be tied, and more effectively I believe, using Pearsalls "Gossamer" silk thread for the bodies. A good example would be the Greenwell's Glory, still a very killing pattern. If you look at the older patterns you'll see that the majority were ribbed with tinsel or wire. While adding color and sparkle to the body, it also gave a degree of reinforcement and durability to the fly.

All floss changes color and darkens when wet. If you are tying flies to fish with, it is best to use a tying thread of the same color, or a lighter color, as the floss. This will minimize the darkening effect. Many older flies were tied with black silk thread and when the fly got wet it showed through the body, further adding to the color change. Imagine this when using white or pale yellow floss for the body! If the pattern calls for a black head on the fly, just use black thread to finish it or a black head cement or lacquer.

[zen leecher]

John,

Thanks for the floss info. I'm getting ready to tie up some old-style wetflies and would like them to look so. I'll find some body floss or embroidery floss when I do so.

Bill W

[zen leecher]

Great Feathers is sending me an assortment.

[William Anderson]

Thanks, John. I haven't used a lot of floss but those I see are striking. Should probably add that to my skill set.