Fly tying question

[Zeno]

Over Christmas, my good old dad was checking out Northwest fly tying magazine and hashing out an article about some whacko fly-tying-nut-job that had a new steelhead pattern for leeches. Called it a MOAL. Mother-of-all-Leeches. My dad, correctly, immediately saw that this same fly would be good for salmon, with a few modifications. It uses two hooks and a bunch of rabbit stuff etc but the hooks are connected with 'spectra'. Since my dad lives in the dark ages and cares not a wit what the rest of this cesspool of a civilization is doing, he is a bit at a loss about this spectra thing. What is it? - A new type of monofilament, choking wire, death grip boron/graphite/other fiber, super dooper strong spider wire new –fangled-thing-a-ma-bob or what the hell is all this new stuff.

Any details or information will be appreciated. I’ll post a fishing story in ‘payment’.

Smart-ass retorts by non-fly fishers will be politely ignored.

-Zeno

[Ed I]

Spectra is the registered trademark of Honeywell International for a special formulation of the same space-age material that bullet-proof vests and other protective gear is made from. Spectra is tiny filaments of super strong material that when braided together produce extreamly strong, thin line that is perfect for some fishing applications.

I don't know anything first hand. It's also used with kites.

[ThaSaltCracka]

I have never fly fished, how much fun is it, and is it easy to learn?

[Zeno]

^bump

[Leo99]

Spectra is the new "braid" fishing line. It is much thinner than mono and has no stretch. Here is BassProShops version: Magibraid

Here is another version: P-Line

I think SpiderWire is also Spectra but not sure.

The post about the fibers is correct. Spectra is the material braided to make the fishing line. I'd use 30-50 # test, maybe stronger.

[Ray Zee]

lots of places dont allow more than one hook on a line.

spectra is just braided line. strong, thin, but line. i dont use the stuff either.

put two things of wrap that look like eggs on the hook for salmon and steelhead.

then go fishing.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]

I think SpiderWire is also Spectra but not sure.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it is. And Spiderwire is the strongest, thinnest, most sensitive fishing line in the world. I haven't found a reason not to use it. A 30-pound test SpiderWire is the equivalent diameter of 6-pound mono, and a 50 pound spider is the same diameter as a 10 pound mono. It's also great for bulletproof vests.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
I have never fly fished, how much fun is it, and is it easy to learn?

[/ QUOTE ]

Many consider it the most rewarding fishing experience out there. I've never really done it, but I've heard it's a lot of fun. I've heard it's easy to pick up but difficult to master.

[Leo99]

I still haven't used braid. I'm still using 15 pound Ande's pink for dem stripahs. I hear PowerPro is better than SpiderWire so I might give that a go.

[wacki]

I just checked it out, it does look like it's better for fly fishing.

http://www.powerpro.com/