bobbin choices

[Dafesser]

I am not sure the bobbin I have is a good one. What do you all use. Mine is from an older kit and is like a block of sanded wood, you slide the thread in and it comes out a small hole.The whole thing is kinda bulky and fits in your hand.

Do any of you use those metal ones with the tube? Some are called "floss" bobbins I think. Will those work for thread too? :confused: Thanks

[traditionalist]

There is quite a range of bobbin holders on the market now. Ceramic bobbin holders are definitely better. I like these;

http://www.flyfishusa.com/fly-tying/bobbins.htm#Tiemco

the Griffin ceramic bobbin holders are also good;

http://www.flyfishusa.com/fly-tying/bobbins.htm#Griffin

[Caddis Skater]

Hands down I use the C&F bobbins, they are alittle spendy but I
have had the best luck with them. I have alot less thread breakage
with these bobbins. I hope this helps you out.

:beer2:
:cool:

[Allison]

I really like my Umpqua Ergonomic. Need to get a second one for the wide spools.

[Dafesser]

many thanks, these I will purchase and wrap me up some Kril Buzzers and some color Fancies for the spring salmon. I haven't fished or wrapped in many years and just recently find myself able to afford it . I still have many of the old country feathers , some are a bit muddled now and breody nasties ate away some of the hair I once had. I have peeped around at this site for a year or so, trickled by the spirited mates bashing. I will tye on my old nail vise I learned on as a boy. It holds the hook and gets the eastern morning light

[canyon45]

ceramic bobbins are best to keep the thread from tearing. I have many bobbins (>10) and keep the threads I use most often always in the bobbin. It saves alot of time with threading etc.

[scottflycst]

The Fly Shop in CA sells a ceramic bobbin that is inexspensive and works well. It looks like the Umpqua ceramic bobbin but sells for half the price.
Scott

[Allison]

What fly shop? One in California?

[Tim Cottage]

The Fly Shop
http://www.flyshop.com/

TC

[segge]

I may be the only one ... but I if you use a rotary vise ... the Norlander retractable bobbins are worth it. The main advantage is when you "tie off" the thread with a overhand loop and place the thread and bobbin in the cradle to palmer your wire/tinsel/dubbing/feather then it retracts the pulled out thread when you pick it up again and you are ready to go. There are some hassles with it ... winding the thread on the bobbin, getting the tension right, having a loop slip off the bobbin and mucking up the spindle mechanism, and the fact that it is more expensive but it is worth it once you get the hang of it. they have them on the previous post to flyfishusa.com. They are one of those things you like or hate. Only consider them if you tie rotary style. Just my 2 cents....

Steve Egge

[Les Johnson]

I have used Rite bobbins for years. They are fully adjustable without bending and twisting. In my opinion the Rite bobbin renders all other obsolete.
Les

[TallFlyGuy]

I may be the only one ... but I if you use a rotary vise ... the Norlander retractable bobbins are worth it. The main advantage is when you "tie off" the thread with a overhand loop and place the thread and bobbin in the cradle to palmer your wire/tinsel/dubbing/feather then it retracts the pulled out thread when you pick it up again and you are ready to go. There are some hassles with it ... winding the thread on the bobbin, getting the tension right, having a loop slip off the bobbin and mucking up the spindle mechanism, and the fact that it is more expensive but it is worth it once you get the hang of it. they have them on the previous post to flyfishusa.com. They are one of those things you like or hate. Only consider them if you tie rotary style. Just my 2 cents....

Steve Egge


Hands down, the retractable bobbin by norvise is the best bobbin out there.....for me. I love watching guys try to tie flies with their bobbin 3, 4 up to 8 inches away from the fly. Things get sloppy and messy doing this. With the norlander bobbin, you can keep it right up close at all times because it does all the winding for you!

[FT]

Not to take anything away from the excellent bobbins already mentioned and recommended, but here is also one of the least expensive bobbins on the market, which is also one of my favorites (and why I own 18 of them), the S&M bobbin made right here in the US. It retails for about $7.00. I've been using them since 1968 when I bought my first one on the recommendation of a professional fly tyer (Leon Wronski), who was my tying mentor through high school. In fact, I still use that first one and have tied around around 20,000 flies with it with zero problems.