Let’s get the pedantic details out of the way. Thread (and wire and other stuff) is spooled onto a bobbin. You put that bobbin (usually of thread) into a bobbin holder 1 when you tie to keep tension on the thread while you are using the thread to fasten things onto the hook.
You want something that has a tube with a smoooooooove interior that won’t cut up the thread and has arms that can be easily adjusted to put more (or less) tension on the bobbin that it’s holding.
I like to tie with Rite Bobbin holders ($30) but I don’t think there’s any overwhelming need to spend that much. No matter what I chose, I would stick with the 3” space between the bobbin and the tip of the tube.
Dr. Slick sells bobbin holders with glass lined ($11) and ceramic lined ($17) tubes in 3” sizes. Loon Outdoors sells their Ergo All Purpose Bobbin for $20. I have used the Loon product and it works just fine.
Buy one to start. Down the road, true luxury is having three or four already threaded up and waiting.
References and notes
What people who know what they are talking about say:
- Fly Fish Food- What are the FIRST THREE fly tying tools you should buy?
- Savage Flies- All About Bobbins! (Fly Tying Tool Primer)
- Choosing the Right Bobbin with Kelly Galloup
- Charlie Craven Explains Fly Tying Bobbins
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The manufacturers call their bobbin holders “bobbins” and once you’ve bought one, you can too. ↩