Welcome to the latest installment of our series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video will teach a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.
In this video, Tim explains why floss often looks darker on the hook shank than it does on the spool–especially if it’s tied on a black hook–and then demonstrates how you can overcome this problem. The key is to lay down a base of white before you tie in the floss. Tim’s method of cording and uncording the thread as he wraps makes the effect even more profound.
Even better, use an underbody of silver tinsel.
I am sure white floss or silver tinsel will have a brightening effect on coloured floss!
But if the flys you tie and use to fish work without doing so, will the “brighter”
versions catch more trout or even as many? That is the question we want the answer to? Perhaps brighter floss bodies may even have a negative effect? This needs to be tested on the water!! Just my opinion!