Wire and Emerger Question

[jeffraz]

I have been a fan of selective trout as far back as I can remember. Over the years I have tied or bastardized a vast array of different types of emerger patterns. When it comes to ribbing on more fragile body materials such as biot I have usually used monofilament instead of thin wire. The advantage of this is better floatability but less durability. I know that copper wire comes in very thin diameters these days, but I have always been hesitant to use it because it seems to me that it would sink the fly. I would like to try copper ribbing on these flies so I am asking for advice in regard to diameters. My emergers are usually tied on scud hooks or Diachi 1160's (thin wire). I tend to use powdered floatant since I incorporate CDC often. Your wisdom is greatly appreciated.

[RileyVacinek]

I'm not sure if this is correct but I know some people (myself included) get the nymph schuck part of an emerger such as the peacock on a peacock emerger wet before applying floatant. This would cause the hackle and dubbing to float and the shuck to sink in theory making the fly look like it was breaking through the surface film. So I have used wire to help with this effect. Who knows if it actually works like that though.
To answer your question I have ribbed with wire many times. Copper is just about as dense as steel and the diameter of wire I use is far less than the hook so I would assume there is a 5-10% increase if that.

[jeffraz]

Thanks, Riley. I didn't think it was much of a difference anyway, but is always good to gain opinions and insight.

[Justin Damude]

I use 3/0 thread for ribbing on my dry flies

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[brandonsausner]

I like to use wire myself. If things start to sink to much I grease the leader.

[jeffraz]

Thanks for all the input. I will use thin wire for larger flies and thread or mono for the 18's and smaller.

[DaveSiejka]

Thread is what I use for ribbing on my dry fly patterns. It adds protection while at the same time allows for a second color to be added to the body of the fly (since the actual insects are never one solid color)

[Mr.T]

Jeff, I use a combination of mono filament, thread and wire. When I use thread, I generally use a 6/0 loop twisted tight. I generally like mono on biot bodies. I have used wire on flies down to size 24, I find it helps keep the "abdomen" down in the surface film. I find the wire has a negligible effect on floating CDC emerger patterns in calmer flat water. When using larger CDC patterns, with wire on the abdomen, I will from time to time add a hackle to the thorax area of the fly, one to two turns behind the cdc and one turn in front, hackle clipped off on the bottom. I use this technique down to size 20's. Another option is a product I found out west on one of my many westerly sojourns, it is called flyagiara. It is a liquid floatant that works wonders on CDC. follow the directions on the bottle. You can supplement the flyagiara with powdered floatant as needed. The flys float like a cork, even after catching a fish. I hope this inspires some new ideas.........................

[johnbenish]

I have stainless wire for dental splint use that is very fine, right now I couldn't say the gauge, I've never seen copper this thin. I could bring some to the shop, I'm sure the weight would be not much of an issue.