A lot of newbie fly tyers will look at the thread last, thinking it doesn’t matter. However, next to the hook, your thread is one of the most important components of your fly tying kit.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to retire a fly due to the thread unraveling from the fly. I would say it’s second only to snags in terms of reasons why I can’t use a fly anymore.
Here are some of the best fly tying threads that I have used over the years:
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best OverallUNI Products 6/0 Unithread Waxed – Red |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best for StreamersUNI Products 3/0 Unithread Waxed |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Silk ThreadPhecda Sport 16 Colors 150 Deniers Lightly Waxed |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best for NymphsUni-Thread 8/0 Color: Black (001) |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best SaltwaterFly Shack Kevlar Thread |
| Check Today's Price |
| Longest ThreadVeevus 8/0 Fly Tying Thread – Assorted Colors |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best QualityRiverruns Micro Glint Nymph Thread |
| Check Today's Price |
Detailed Fly Tying Threads Review
UNI Products 6/0 Unithread Waxed
Check Trident Fly Fishing Price
Key Features:
- Superb all-round thread
- Ideal for drys, streamers and nymphs
- Tough and durable
- Both waxed and unwaxed
This is easily the best overall fly tying thread out there. Therefore, if you want to shop for the best all-round fly tying thread from fly shops, this would be a great place to start.
Since it’s an all-round tying material, you can comfortably use it to tie nymphs, streamers and drys. Furthermore, it is an ideal choice even for people who are new to fly tying in fly fishing.
It is tough and durable because it is made of continuous polyester filaments, which means that the thread lays flat on your hook. You can also choose to twist it with your fly tying bobbin. Having one of the best fly tying bobbins would be a perfect match for these threads.
Also, for a thread of its diameter, the 6/0 thread is very strong. You will have a choice of two when out shopping-waxed and unwaxed, depending on your fly fishing preference.
UNI Products 3/0 Unithread Waxed
Check Trident Fly Fishing Price
Key Features:
- Good for large flies
- Capable of holding and keeping your flies usable
- Allows for better grip
- Comes with increased filaments
If you prefer tying large flies like streamers during your fly fishing expedition, then this is a highly recommended thread.
It is very strong and tough, which makes it very capable of holding and keeping your drys or streamers usable. It doesn’t really matter if you managed to hook up several fish using a single fly.
Interestingly, this 6/0 size thread is made of similar material used on a 8/0 thread. The significant difference between these two threads is that filaments used on the 100-yard spools are more. Also, you will fancy tying baitfish imitations or streamers, you would easily fall in love with this thread.
Since it comes waxed already, you are assured of better grip when tying the thread. However, keep your eyes peeled because the waxing might be the reason why you get clogs on your bobbins.
Phecda Sport 150 Deniers Lightly Waxed
Key Features:
- 80 yards per spool
- Choice of multiple colors
- Includes 16 spools
- Excellent for a wide range of flies
This is a very unique kit because it comes with 16 spools, each of these spools having 80 yards of thread. Although earlier fly tyers preferred using threads made of polyester, other fly anglers prefer using silk and this is the best pick.
If you are one who fancies tying small lies delicately, then you will find this silk thread quite functional. However, it may not be the best thread for beginners since silk is highly susceptible to breaking. Nonetheless, if tied properly, it is pretty effective.
The fact that the kit comes in 10 different colors, you have a wide range of choices to choose from.
Uni-Thread 8/0
Key Features:
- Good for nymphs and smaller flies
- The thread is super-thin
- This thread can work with smaller dries and midges
- Great for backwater streams
The super-thin nature of the thread makes it great for quickly and easily tying micro flies, especially if that is your preference.
Furthermore, if you like using midges or any other small flies or small drys that you hook up around backwater streams, you will find this fly tying thread pretty handy.
However, since the thread is so fine and small, beginners might not have the easiest of time tying it. Sometimes it can even be challenging for professional anglers alike. Therefore, we would advise that if you are a beginner at tying, try and find the next best alternative.
Using this thread if your are a novice fly tyer will just end up with unnecessary headaches and frustrations. Always opt for larger threads.
Fly Shack Kevlar Thread
Key Features:
- Strong and durable
- Great for large flies
- Ideal thread for tying saltwater flies
- Comes in 8-pound of working strength
Did you know, Kevlar thread is the same material with that of a bulletproof vest? Fun fact isn’t it? This is why the Fly Shack Kevlar Thread is highly durable and incredibly strong. This is the reason why you can use it to fly tie a wide range of flies.
However, despite its ability to work with a wide range of flies, it is great with large flies or going for saltwater fly fishing to hook up stubborn fish species like the pike or muskie.
It would be best to keep in mind that this thread doesn’t come waxed, which might make using the thread to tie a bit challenging because of breaking. Nevertheless, with continued practice and handling, you should be able to get a hang of it.
Furthermore, since it’s tough, don’t try breaking it using your hands. Instead, always use a pair of fly tying scissors because it can easily injure you in the process.
Veevus 8/0 Fly Tying Thread
Key Features:
- Comes in assorted colors
- Flat and unwaxed
- You can cord it to give it extra strength
- You get about 100 metres on a standard-sized spool
What stands out?
This is a flat and unwaxed thread that is great, especially if you are looking to split your thread.
This thread can easily lay flat on the hook, which means that it minimizes bulkiness. You can also choose to cord it to give it an extra layer of strength, a feature that is quite unique.
One spool comes with about 100 metres of thread, which will last you several hookups while out fly fishing.
Riverruns Micro Glint Nymph Thread
Key Features:
- It comes in a wide range of holo-effect colors
- Made of high-quality single strand multi-filament poly floss
- Good 170-denier thread
- It has 50 yards of thread per spool
This is yet another popular 6 color thread set that is constructed from fine quality single strand multi-filament poly floss that function to give it that fantastic fluorescent effect, especially great for ribbing and hot spots.
Also, it is a 170-denier thread and the spool comes with about 50 yards of thread. A set of the threads includes a range of holo-effect colors.
What to Consider when Buying Fly Tying Thread
Single or multi-strand thread
These types of strands have their advantages and disadvantages. It will all depend on how you intend to use them. However, if you are a beginner tyer, it is always a good idea to start with a single strand thread.
When you get a hang of things, you can then proceed to use the multi-strand. This type of thread tends to lay flatter on the hook as compared to the single strand.
It is advisable for beginners to use single strand since the breaking strength is much higher on multi-strands, which makes it difficult to work with. But since it lies flatter on fly tying hooks and has a higher breaking strength, it is an ideal pick.
Thread sizes
It is always recommended that flyers use the smallest thread sizes as possible because smaller ones are less bulky. However, you should vary your thread size if you intend to create creature patterns. Here are the different sizes:
- Kevlar: Can be pretty difficult for beginners and pros alike since they are bulkier. However, it is highly durable and strong.
- 3/0 size thread: Yet another strong thread that would be great when used om streamer patterns, terrestrials or wooly bugger.
- 6/0 thread: Could still be stronger and more durable, but could be great for medium-sized flies.
- 8/0 thread: It is an average strength thread and it is the recommended thread for all tyers because of its versatility.
- 10/0 thread: It is pretty fine, which means it can be very delicate to deal with. It is ideal for smaller dry flies and nymphs. Also, if you are a novice, try as much as possible to steer clear of this thread.
Denier
Denier is essentially the weight of a thread in grams of 9 000 meters of nylon thread. However, many fly tyers tend to forget this concept of tying.
For example, if you come across two identical threads but one is 70 denier and 30 denier, you should automatically know that the 70 denier is the stronger one of the two.
Thread material
Although you can find threads coming in different materials, the most popular ones are nylon, polyester and kevlar. Of these three, polyester and nylon are the cheaper but stronger types, despite nylon stretching more than polyester. Kevlar is the strongest of them all, thus, has a little stretch, which can be difficult to deal with.
Waxed and unwaxed
Working with waxed threads is often easier than the unwaxed threads because they are not prone to breaking. However, unwaxed ones will be cleaner and less bulky.
FAQ
What thread is best for fly tying?
The best thread for fly tying is 6/0 or 8/0 weight, 100% nylon, pre-waxed thread. It is strong, durable, and available in a variety of colors.
What is the difference between sewing thread and fly tying thread?
Sewing thread is generally thin and made of cotton or polyester, while fly tying thread is thicker and made of nylon. Sewing thread is mainly used for attaching fabric and other materials, while fly tying thread is used to securely attach feathers, fur, and other materials to a hook or other base material. Fly tying thread is also pre-waxed, making it more durable and less likely to fray or break.
Why does my fly tying thread keep breaking?
Fly tying thread can break for a variety of reasons. If it is not pre-waxed, it may be too old or dry and brittle. If the thread is knotted too tightly, it can break. If the thread is not secured properly, it can come loose and break. Lastly, if the thread is not strong enough for the materials being used, it can break.
What type of fly tying thread is strongest?
The strongest fly tying thread is 6/0 or 8/0 weight, 100% nylon, pre-waxed thread. This type of thread is strong, durable, and available in a variety of colors.
Do you need special thread to tie flies?
Yes, you need special fly tying thread to tie flies. This thread is thicker and made of nylon, and it is also pre-waxed, making it more durable and less likely to fray or break.
Conclusion
Inasmuch as all of these materials are great, the winner in our roundup is from UNI Products Uni thread Waxed because it is an ideal all-round thread that can work with a wide range of flies.
The best fly tying threads that are available online come from UNI Products. They are tough and durable and can be used for dry flies, nymphs and streamers. You can get them both waxed and un-waxed.
