Yli Metallic

About The Thread in Rod Wrapping

There are some important decisions to be made when it comes to choosing a thread for wrapping guides on your rod. The decisions are more aesthetic considerations versus functional but important none the same.

As an example of what I am saying;

I don’t believe that you would want to wrap a heavy metallic nylon thread onto a hand crafted split cane, bamboo rod. The wraps on the tip section would be bigger than the snake guide itself. This would be both aesthetically and functionally a bad choice as I see it. I know the example is ridiculous but it makes my point.

The considerations should be made in keeping with the design and intent of the rod. Back to my example. A bamboo rod, wrapped in the old tradition, would probably have a good gossamer silk thread coated with a finish that made the wraps look transparent.

Or, in today’s style, be wrapped with a size A, NCP thread from a leading manufacturer that are as opaque as enamel paint on a piece of glass.

Both of these approaches are great, it just amounts to what your personal preference is.

Remember the old saying about a part of peoples anatomy and opinions?

Think about some of the choices:

Pearsall’s Gossamer

Pearsall’s Naples

YLI #3/0

YLI #100

Gudebrod NCP A

All of these threads are top quality and when applied properly, with consideration given to the final aesthetic of the rod, you will end up with a top notch job you can be proud of.

What it boils down to is that the rod wrapping project is yours and you alone should decide what is important for your particular wants and desires. With the materials available on today’s market you will be hard pressed to find a “Bad” product. As I stated above it boils down to aesthetics as you see it.

Angibow

“The Old Rod Wrapping Ninja”

About the Author

Ninja Wrapper Productions is an entity that delves into the areas of fly fishing, rod building, rod wrapping and a few other design related activities involving interesting woodworking projects.

I hope you enjoy my article and are able to take something worth while away with you when you are finished.

For further articles on rod wrapping see my Articles page

For a complete “How To” Guide check out my Rod Wrapping Guide .pdf or spiral bound bench copy.

Designing by Thread – Threads and Settings Part 1