Thread issues

[Vince Fusco]

 I buy most of my tying materials online.Quite a few times when I get a new spool of thread there is no visable end showing to start using the spool. I have found this to be frustrating to say the least. Has anyone else had these issues, and how do you start a new spool with no loose end? I generally take a hook and pull some thread out, then start it from there which results in the thread running over it's self and finally binding up up much like a backlash on a bait casting reel.  Any ideas on a a better way to start a new spool?

[dick tabbert]

I put on the magnifiers and use my bodkin till I find the end. My biggest thing and I still do it quit often is constantly breaking my thread.

[Earl W Story]

 I do the same thing. Put on the magnifier and slide a needle around the edge of the spool. Usually I can catch the end of the thread.

But...... After 2 minutes of this I usually lose my patience and composure and my wife does it for me. 

[Donald Schmotzer]

  I am with you on this one........I usually just give up and start it "somewhere"......And it's not long B4 it 'wads' up and I cut that out and start it again "somewhere". Most of the time......after the 4th or 5th restart, I will chunk it in the trash and use a different color until I buy another spool. I try to buy local as much as I can (don't want them to go away) and when doing that you can LOOK and make sure you can see the end..........//works-for-me//......But alas.....most of the time the local shops don't have the color/shade I am looking for.....so I too roll the dice and buy online...It is for this reason I recently started tying most of my flies with red or black thread, the local boys usually have those colors on hand and the fish just don't seem to mind. Now I fish 99% warm water......trout fishermen may find it more important to "Match-Tha-Hatch"....Don in SC

[Mark Stine]

Had a spool recently that had the same problem no end, usually a magnifier works but this one  I ended up pulling up a thread and cut it to get a start.  ended up cutting a few strands on this one and now its a hopeless mess! If someone comes up with some voodoo that works I'll try it out!

[Lee]

 What kind of thread are yall buying that has these problems? I always buy Uni and the end of the thread is stuck in a slice on the edge of the spool.

[Vince Fusco]

Lee, the last spool I had trouble with was Danvilles and theirs also has a slit in the spool for the tag end, but when it arrived there was no end showing. I also use Uni thread and like both brands. This problem doesn't happen often, but it is sure frustrating when it does. Being new at tying flys, I wish I had a fly supply shop near me so I could check out the materials before buying them.  

[dick tabbert]

I have the worst time with Danvilles I break it a lot. I have much better luck with the Uni.