I originally posted this back in ’09. It is a very handy piece about how to compare sizings one encounters in fly tying discussions. It is handy to ‘bookmark/favorite’ this for future reference. The links are included.
fly tying sizing (mm to inches..fly size and bead size)
Categories: entomology, fishing, flies, fly pattern, fly pattern design, flyfishing, flytying and how to tie flies
Tags: Bugs, летать связывание, летят обвързване, 매는 비행, Fliegenbinden, fly tying, hook size, How To’s, insect size, lentää sitominen,millimeters, mm, флы везања, voar subordina�, zbura lega, 抱き合わせ飛ぶ
Tags: Bugs, летать связывание, летят обвързване, 매는 비행, Fliegenbinden, fly tying, hook size, How To’s, insect size, lentää sitominen,millimeters, mm, флы везања, voar subordina�, zbura lega, 抱き合わせ飛ぶ
You will often see the size of a fly represented in hook size or in mm’s. I have never easily adjusted to metric and have a rough sense of flies in the 5mm to 60mm range. But, I need to actually see the graph to be sure. I enclose these charts for visuals, realizing you will refer to a ruler, etc.
Bead Chart to Left, courtesy of Wingaersheek Flies
Example:
Natural Insect: Black Winter Stonefly (Family: Capniidae)
Imitation: Black Elkhair Caddis
Hook Size: 18-22
So, notice a 5mm fly is about the equivalent of a size 18 to 22 hook. Many references world wide will always utilize mm references for insect size, pattern size, bead size or compare hook size (standard references) to an insect size (in mm’s)
SwittersB & Exploring 
Here’s a tip for any and all who tie pheasant-tail nymphs or anything requiring fine copper wire: before you throw away that string of Christmas-tree lights that stopped working, strip off the insulation. You may find, as I just did, more fine copper wire than you’ll use in a long time of tying. And you’ve already paid for it.
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great info..thank you!
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