October's #1 Asked questions in the shop!
Which thread should I use for fly tying?
Small dries. Heavy streamers. Which thread should you reach for? It was October’s #1 asked question in the shop! At Fly Life Company, we’re sharing Semperfli’s thread guide to help you choose a starting point for your next tying session.
Start with your hook size, the amount of material you need to secure and the tying tension your pattern requires. Fine threads help keep small flies slim, while larger patterns and bulky materials may call for a heavier thread.
Semperfli thread guide: which thread for which fly?
The two columns below suggest options from each thread range. They are not a conversion chart or a claim of equal strength.
| Fly / pattern | Nano Silk | Classic Waxed |
|---|---|---|
| Midge & #20 dries | 10D / 20D | 18/0 |
| River dries & spiders | 30D | 12/0 |
| Nymphs & perdigons | 50D | 8/0 |
| Buzzers & wets | 50D | 8/0 |
| Streamers & lures | 100D | 6/0 |
| Predator & pike | 200D / 300D | 3/0 |
| Saltwater | 100D Saltwater | 6/0 |
A starting point, not a rule: adjust your choice for the hook, materials and tension you use. Thread sizing varies between ranges; use the Nano Silk denier rating shown here when choosing that range.
Thread recommendations credited to Semperfli. Graphic and introduction by Fly Life Company.
Shop Semperfli fly tying thread at Fly Life Company
- Semperfli Nano Silk 30D — the guide’s starting point for river dries and spiders.
- Semperfli Nano Silk 50D — the guide’s starting point for nymphs, perdigons, buzzers and wets.
- Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, 240 yards.
- Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 8/0.
- Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 6/0.
Check each product page for available colours and current availability. Not sure where to start? Contact Fly Life Company with the pattern and hook size you’re tying, and we’ll help you choose.
Save this guide for your next tying session—and make every wrap count.
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