On Jan 16, 11:41 pm, "Larry L" wrote:
"Conan The Librarian" wrote

to playing around tinting some dental floss to wrap as a mayfly body.

My question is simple ...why?

What traits does dental floss have that other materials lack?

If you are going to go to all the trouble to die it there must be something
very special about it ?? but what escapes my limited imagination. ( when on
considers the dozens of other 'string like' materials available in every
possible shade and tone )

It was very popular at one time, because it was cheap and easily
available. It was mainly used for building up underbodies on various
patterns. The coloured silk floss and similar stuff in use was much
more expensive. It can be layered or shaped securely, and wound very
tightly indeed. There were not many materials like this available when
it was first widely used.

Asking "why" in regard to many materials used for fly-dressing, unless
they are used a a result of very specific properties is a bit
pointless. Often, the answer will be "because it was there".

TL
MC