Shanks

[wfocharlie]

Just thought I would pass this on. I found that I could make a cheap functional shank by twisting up heavy stainless wire. If you have some of this laying around, give it a try. It seems to hold the tying material well because of the irregular surface. You can make any length you want and then just trim it when your done like a hook.

[Chedster]

Charlie that is pure genius, much cheaper than buying pre-made shanks. Where can you get the wire? Don't think I have any.

[lastcast]

Dude!!! Awesomeness. I'm going to give that a go.

[Osmosis]

Looks like spinner wire (generally is 304 stainless).

[hamfish]

I've got several thousand feet of this available. It is stainless lashing wire .045 I believe and would be happy to share this with ya'all some how. I may try to make the drive to the Pizza dinner coming up or I will be traveling from Monmouth to North Bonneville, Wa. over the next week or so and could meet up with anyone who wants any.

[wfocharlie]

I measured the wire I was using with digital caliper and it is about .040 so Ray, that stuff is right in the ballpark. I got dibs on a few yards of that. Thanks for the offer.
Of course with smaller flies you can use smaller wire. That stuff would also work good for the rotating plunking spreaders.

[Spade]

Charlie, that's brilliant, I'm tired of cutting perfectly good hooks.

Damn Ray, that's very nice of you. Yes I would like some as well!