Tying Flys with "chenille stems"??

[Bottom Knocker]

Hey Folks;

Any of you ever try tying flys using chenille stems? I found them in a craft store..

They are chenille fibers strung together with wire, (like pipecleaners, but lighter wire) instead of thread. Like the kind used in fly tying (more for freshwater flys..)

They sell all kinds of colors, sizes,and flash etc..

Just wondering if anyone has tried this material? My guess is it rusts easy...maybe freshwater..I see it as a wooly bugger body. The wire adds weight!..

Lets hear it..

[OneMoreCast]

Knocker,
They make a mega chenille for big saltwater flies ...bluewater chenille I believe, that comes on what looks like a wire brush. I've used that for big daddy saltwater flies.. Never seen the chenille you are referring to.. But, it certainly sounds like it could work.
I've found that by spinning peacock herl with hackle and thread, you can make a wicked bristle brush for everything from buggers to griffs gnats. By spinning it, you make the three materials incredibly strong... much stronger than just palmering the herl.

[bigjim5589]

Yep, I've tried it, and they do rust, even in freshwater! :yes:

I also spin herl like you're talking about, but I use fine copper wire, since I use it for nymph or wet fly bodies primarily. Gets the same result, makes it much more durable. ;-)

[mike cozzens]

OMC.

Nice idea. Back when I tied a lot of freshwater flies I used to hate peacock because it would break so easily. I love the thread idea.

I've used the "pipe cleaner chennile" stuff in the past and although it worked nicely I quit using it. Don't remember why.

Mike

[OneMoreCast]

Mike,
Just lay all three together and spin them.. viola!! Much easier with a rotary vise.. Tie all three in at the bend ..lay together and twist. The 30 second griffs gnat!! It works man.. coolest part is the way the hackle comes out from the spin.. 45 degree angles..very "leg like".