Here’s the latest installment in an ongoing series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video teaches 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.
Gel-spun polyethylene (G.S.P.) thread is incredibly strong and slick, which makes it perfect for spinning deer hair, but it can be a huge pain in the butt to use. In this great video, Tim Flagler explains the benefits of using GSP thread and shows you how to deal with its quirky features–its slipperiness, the difficulty of cutting it, and the way the filaments can separate. Once you’ve mastered these tricks, tying with GSP is no problem at all.
I havr been trying to incorporate GSP 50 denier into my comparadun flies with only marginal luck.
1. I use bees wax or dubbing wax to reduce the slippage with only fair results.
2. When trying to place deer hair, the GSP frequently slips forward, reducing the amount of deer hair flare.
3. In fairness, I often reduce the amount of deer hair I tie with GSP, the result is a somewhat sparse deer flair.
4. I hate to ‘walk away’ so I would love to see you actually use the GSP tying a few flies you think are germane for this type of thread……….thank you