"Hooked" wrote...
Last night I tried tying up some size 16 EHC's. Being that I was using a
size 16 hook, I opted for 8/0 Uni-Thread. I couldn't put a whole lot of
pressure on the thread to secure the elk hair without breaking the thread.
What size thread would be recommended to tie these?

Just to be contrary, I use 8/0 Uni-Thread. No one ever told me I'd have a
problem with it, so I haven't (up till now.)

Trying to comb out the underfur from the elk hair was a pain in the
uknowhat. Any suggestions?

I use my fingertips.

Also, what color bodies work best? I used a light olive and a coachman brown
hackle. Would a tan body work better? If location is needed to determine
types of hatches, I'll be fishing in the upper mid-west.

I normally tie and carry some tan (dubbed with synthetic or rabbit and palmered
brown or furnace) and some dark bodies (usually made with peacock herl and
palmered grizzly.) I've also taken to tying a few of each with rubber legs,
Madame X style.
--
TL,
Tim
http://css.sbcma.com/timj