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Threads, Tinsels & Wire

Fly tying thread, tinsel, and wire from the Ilwaco shop. Sizes and brands for dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Veevus, UNI, Danville, UTC, Semperfli, and the wires we keep next to them.

Thread sizes (denier and when to use them)

  • 70 denier / fine: UTC Ultra Thread 70 and similar fine nylons for midges and small dries. Less bulk at the head.
  • 140 / 6/0 range: everyday trout thread. UNI Waxed, Veevus, and Danville Flat Waxed cover most nymphs and dries.
  • 210 / heavier (Flymaster Plus, Big Fly): streamers, Intruders, and anything that needs stronger wraps without endless turns.
  • GSP / gel-spun (Veevus GSP, Semperfli Nano Silk): thin diameter with high strength. Good when you want a small head that still clamps deer hair or stiff material.

Thread types on this aisle

  • Nylon (UNI, Danville, UTC, Veevus): the workhorse. Waxed options grip better on the bobbin.
  • Power / heavy nylon (Veevus Power Thread, UNI Big Fly): fewer wraps, more hold on bigger flies.
  • GSP / Nano Silk: Semperfli Nano Silk and Veevus GSP when diameter-to-strength matters.
  • Silk and floss (Ephemera, Ovale, Glo Brite, Veevus floss): classic bodies and bright tags. Not your every-wrap foundation thread.
  • Kevlar (Veevus Natural Kevlar): specialty strength wraps when the pattern calls for it.

Applications by fly style

  • Dry flies: fine to mid nylon. Keep the head small so the fly still floats.
  • Nymphs: mid nylon or UTC 70 for slim perdigons; add wire rib from this aisle.
  • Streamers and Intruders: heavier nylon, Power Thread, or GSP. Trailer hook wire for articulated builds.

Tinsel

Body flash and ribbing. Veevus holographic and pearl, UNI French oval, UTC pearl and Mirage. Flat tinsel for smooth bodies; oval for ribbed segments. Pick width to match hook size so the body does not turn into a mirror brick.

Wire

  • UTC Ultra Wire (Wapsi) and UNI Soft Wire: ribbing and counter-rib on nymphs and soft hackles.
  • Lead and lead-free wire (Hareline): underbody weight when you are not using a bead.
  • Senyo's Intruder trailer hook wire: connects the trailer hook behind a shank.
  • Dubbing brush wire (UNI): for spinning dubbing brushes.

Shanks that pair with trailer wire: Spawn shanks, hooks, and jigs. Beginner guide: fly tying for beginners.

FAQ

UNI vs Veevus vs Danville?

All three are solid nylon foundations. UNI Waxed is the common trout default. Veevus gives fine diameters and GSP options. Danville Flymaster Plus is the heavier nylon many streamer tiers already know.

When do I switch to GSP or Nano Silk?

When nylon bulk is fighting you on a small head, or you need more strength without more wraps. Deer hair and stiff synthetic wings are common reasons.

Wire rib vs tinsel rib?

Wire for durability and a thin segmented look on nymphs. Tinsel when you want flash as the rib or body. Many nymphs use both: tinsel body, wire counter-rib.

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