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Re: thread choice for a Black Spider
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:06 am
by Ron Eagle Elk
Thanks, John. I have to thank our friend Donald for the history lesson on the fly and the man.
Zen, those are Wasatch bobbins and have a lifetime warranty. Wasatch really stands behind their products and are always looking for input from tyers as to improvements or new tools.
Re: thread choice for a Black Spider
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:05 pm
by Donald Nicolson
Hullo friends,sorry for the long pause
I thought I'd give some clues on this one.
In the mid 19th century 1854, Pearsalls black silk had a bad reputation for snapping very easily. This was due to having to stay extra long in the dye to attain its black colour. The dye was quite acidic and affected the silk thread. So! Well waxed brown became the silk to use. Skues mentions the poor quality of the black in one of his books.
Donald
Re: thread choice for a Black Spider
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 5:34 pm
by Roadkill
It has always been my understanding that Stewarts Black, Red, and Dun Spiders were named for the color of the hackle feather rather than the thread. After all there isn't a traditional thread body, just a thorax tied hackle. We don't even have a thread color for the Dun Spider in The Practical Angler.
