Fly Tying with Household Materials ^Pictures^

[StacyR]

I don't tie flies, but I do make hand tied jigs for bass, crappie and steelhead.

For any application where threads are not visible and you're not required to yank hard on the thread, I use Coats and Clark monofilament thread. Costs about $2.75 for a 400 yard spool at hobby or sewing shops. Comes in nylon and polyester, but the polyester thread is easier to find in stores. Either one works fine. I got mine at Joann's, and I've heard Wal-Mart also carries it. The spool fits a standard size fly tying bobbin. It's transparent, so you can also use it for jigs and flies where you want the material to show through. Just make sure you whip finish a couple of times and glue at the end, because it's very slippery.

Speaking of glue, nail polish top coat makes great head cement. I buy it from the dollar store. Colored nail polish also makes good paint for jig heads. These have a base coat of white powder paint and a top coat of gray nail polish:



I buy chenille online from Crazy Angler and Grandpa Bob's Jigs. Not sure if linking to their sites is allowed, so just google the names. Much cheaper than the local fly shop.

TeenFisherman, where are you located? I may have some stuff for you.
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