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#11
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![]() "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 ) |
#12
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![]() "Larry L" wrote in message ... "Conan The Librarian" wrote to die it there must be something dye |
#13
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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 |
#14
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Knew I had some references somewhere;
http://books.google.com/books?id=Cc6...xTSJzgWUtCrAN4 http://books.google.com/books?id=zaP...MAw-zI4RnUH1uM http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feat...es/part88.html If you do a search on dental floss and flies you will come up with a lot more. It is very strong and versatile stuff.The very large array of synthetic flosses and threads now available is a modern phenomenon. At one time silk was used more or less universally as dressing thread. A material like dental floss, which is extremely strong, cheap, and could be easily manipulated and coloured was of very considerable use to many at the time. TL MC |
#15
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![]() "Mike" wrote 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". Although I'm certain you are right about the most common answer, I think that choice of materials is a key factor in all design, including flies .... |
#16
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http://groups.msn.com/TheFlyFishingB...ess age=19567
http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBulleti...underbody.html http://www.anglingbc.com/flyfishing/...sts/411.html?0 http://www.pairowoodies.com/james/fly-patterns.html ( See "Rusty Rat") http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/ssthread/index1.html http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/fly...m?parentID=120 TL MC |
#17
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On Jan 17, 12:21 am, "Larry L" wrote:
"Mike" wrote 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". Although I'm certain you are right about the most common answer, I think that choice of materials is a key factor in all design, including flies .... That is undoubtedly true, but one is always limited to what is available. There are just more things available nowadays. At the time it was popular, it was the best available material for the job. It is still used for blow lines, and a few other things. TL MC |
#18
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Mike wrote:
If you do a search on dental floss and flies you will come up with a lot more. It is very strong and versatile stuff.The very large array of synthetic flosses and threads now available is a modern phenomenon. At one time silk was used more or less universally as dressing thread. A material like dental floss, which is extremely strong, cheap, and could be easily manipulated and coloured was of very considerable use to many at the time. TL MC though not relevant at all...rachel once, lacking thread, replaced one of my missing shirt buttons by sewing a new one on with dental floss. it was a sincere and pure gift granted to me, and i still marvel at it. she's a good cook too. jeff |
#19
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![]() Larry L wrote: My question is simple ...why? My answer is even simpler: Why not? :-) What traits does dental floss have that other materials lack? That's what I'm trying to find out. :-) 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 ) Rather than go out and try to buy up every possible shade and tone, I like the idea of just tinting (coloring with a waterproof marker) it myself as I need it. I also like that it seems to form nice segmented bodies very easily. If it also floats well and is durable, then it's a good alternative to some of the other stuff folks use for dry fly bodies such as biots and quills. The bigger question might be: Why do any of us use biots or quills for bodies? Why do some guys go to craft stores and root around in the yarn or the feathers? Why do some guys save the fur from their dogs or cats for tying? Chuck Vance (because ... just because) |
#20
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![]() Mike wrote: If the flies are treated with a decent floatant, and have decent hackles etc,then they float well enough. I can't say I noticed any difference between waxed and unwaxed in this regard. Latterly I always used unwaxed anyway. I have not tested it, but I would expect the waxed stuff to float better initially at least, as it is simply more waterproof. That was my expectation as well. The main problem with colouring the waxed stuff is that quite a few floatants just dissolve the colour off it. If you use liquid "dip" type floatants, this can cause other problems as well, When you dip other flies in it, they get coloured by it! The colour does not actually soak in to the waxed stuff, as you have noticed, it just colours the wax on the surface. Got it. I pre-treat my flies with Watershed, and while it didn't seem to dissolve any of the color, it did alter it a bit. (In a good way, as it turned out, as it made the yellow look more like a "sulphur" yellow, which is what I was after.) I'll test them on the water as soon as I get a chance to see how they float, and how they react to Frog's Fanny, which is the only onstream "floatant" I use. Thanks for all the links you provided as well. I've been searching some myself, but that made it a lot easier for me. Chuck Vance |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Silly tying with floss (dental) question | Conan The Librarian | Fly Fishing | 23 | January 25th, 2008 09:28 PM |
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