Fly Tying Wire
Choose fine wire for a tidy rib or heavier wire for body weight and definition. Compare the diameter and material first, then pick the colour for your dressing.
Choose with confidence
Ribbing or weighting?
Decorative ribbing adds segmentation and can help protect a delicate body. Wire wrapped in close turns also adds mass. Weighting wire is usually covered by the dressing. Choose the material for its job: a lead-free weighting wire and a coloured ribbing wire need not have the same density or handling.
Choose a diameter without overcrowding the fly
Fine wire suits a restrained rib and small dressings. A heavier diameter gives a more prominent rib and adds bulk more quickly. Judge it against the actual hook and body length rather than following a fixed hook-size conversion. Leave enough space for the thorax and head.
Working with wire
Anchor the wire with thread before winding and secure the end firmly. Close turns build an underbody; spaced turns form a rib. Use an appropriate cutting tool and keep wire away from the fine tips of your tying scissors. Read and retain the manufacturer’s handling warnings for lead products.
Build your pattern with fly tying materials, hooks and tubes and tying threads.