FLYMPH FORUM

Here is an update for the Pearsall's Gossamer watchers. Saturday night, our TU chapter had our annual fundraising dinner/auction. I'm behind on fly tying, but that is another story, so I wasn't able to contribute flies for the silent auction. In the past year, I've made several nice additions to my supply of Pearsall's Gossamer, including what I call the Holy Trinity of colors--purple, orange, and black.
I donated these 3 spools (#8 purple, #6a light orange, and #9 black), so the fly tyers would have an item to be excited about. The winning bid was $60.00. Next year's auction should have a nice supply of partridge & orange, snipe & purple, and black magic spiders for the non-tyers to bid on!

Tight Lines- Ken

Yikes! Sounds like they were a hit and good on them for coming through with the donation.

Major props for the charitable donation, Ken, although I can't figure why anyone would want Pearsall's Gossamer black that badly unless it is just to have it for a collection -- I've never been able to tie with that fragile stuff.

I use the black for ribbing on some flies. I've never been able to tie a fly with it either. Seems prone to breaking. I wax the brown silk with dark cobbler's wax until it's almost black.

I've never tied with Pearsall's black; why would black be more 'fragile' than any other color? Is it an unintended consequence of the dying process?

Mike62 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:05 am I've never tied with Pearsall's black; why would black be more 'fragile' than any other color? Is it an unintended consequence of the dying process?

Yes, something to do with the process to get black or in the black dye.

If something went wrong dying say Primrose they did not throw it away just dyed it black. Too much time in hot dye baths that's why it breaks.

Tom

upstatetrout wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:51 am If something went wrong dying say Primrose they did not throw it away just dyed it black. Too much time in hot dye baths that's why it breaks.

Tom

I believe Bill Bailey has an even more intricate explanation but I don't remember what it is. It has to do with the dye used.

dd

Traditionally, silk has been dyed black with logwood and iron (often ferrous sulfate). In time, the iron corrodes and the fibers crumble. It all depends on the skill of the dyer. I’m not sure what is used today for sewing thread but silk sutures still use logwood.

Mike62 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:05 am I've never tied with Pearsall's black; why would black be more 'fragile' than any other color? Is it an unintended consequence of the dying process?

Yes.

Ever wonder why Stewart's Black Spider was tied with brown thread?