Ultra Wire

[Dave_W]

I really like this stuff. In fact, I rarely use flat tinsel type ribbing anymore except for decorative flies. For "fishing" flies, I mostly use UW these days. It comes in a variety of diameters and colors, is easy to work with (doesn't come unwound), and provides weight.

In particular, I like red UW for blood midges. This is just about the easiest fly to tie: just wire wrapped around a hook - and it sinks hard and fast. This fly makes for a great dropper or heavy point fly when fished with a conventional nymph. Tie your blood midges on a curved, scud style hook (this will flip the fly over and reduce snags when drifting) and keep 'em on the small side, about a quarter inch in body length.

If you're a beginner fly tier looking for some fun and very easy ties that also catch fish well, get some UW in red and maybe some other colors and go to it.

 

[dc410]

I totally agree with you, Dave. I remember seeing an article years ago in a fly fishing magazine with an article about a tie that they called the metallic caddis. Beadhead, Ultra wire body and a small peacock herl thorax. A very simple tie, I tied them in red, green and copper and have done well with them over the years. They sink like a rock. Mixing and matching wire and bead colors can give a wide variety of looks.

 

[RCFetter]

I like Ultra Wire but it comes in five sizes - X-Small (XS), Small (SM), Brassie (BR), Medium (MD), Large (LG) - so having a wide assortment by size and color can get expensive.

The two sizes I use most are small and brassie in gold, hot yellow and silver. I only use silver in the brassie size for wooly buggers.

JStockard sells ultra wire for $1.65 to $2.65 per spool. Here's their page for ultra wire:

J Stockard UTC page

 

[nomad_archer]

I feel like I am late to the party on this topic but I have to agree with all that was said. I like the utc ultra wire and use it on anything that needs ribbed. I only use tinsel when it is the body material on something like a bucktail type minnow.

 

[MKern]

Red wire blood midges are deadly this time of year.