Unfortuantely, all the myths about Madeira have been started by me. Here's a list of them, in chronological order.

2002 - Not strong enough for guide wraps. Myth began when I wrapped a guide with Gudebrod Nylon A, and wrapped another guide with Madeira Polyneon 40wt, took a piece of 60# Mono and ripped each guide out. Gudebrod was so strong the guide bent before pulling out. Madeira, the threads broke. Myth was broken in 2004 when Mark Crouse hung a 200# box of Laundry detergent off the tip of a fly rod.

2004 - Madeira Mettalics cannot be coated with epoxy. Myth was actually started by Al Goldberg, who used 2 coats of CP then epoxy. I tried "everything" to skip those 2 coats of CP, because I don't like CP over darker metallics because I found it clouded up. Went so far as to sell all my MAdeira Metallics to Larry Tysenger. Myth broken in 2005 by Putter when he kept saying he had no problems, and frustrated me to no end, lol!!

2005A - You must use CP with Madeira Polyneon or the finish will not adhere. I built 3 rods with metallic Silver underwraps and Polyneon over, expecting teh same results as when I used Nylon - the mettallics add depth to the overwrap while keeping the thread the same color as on the spool. WEll, teh colors I choose didn't bleed through, the got DARKER. Which didn't match teh thread which had CP on it in teh butt wrap, so my color coordination went to teh crapper. Myth never broken, I've yet to find a Polyneon thread which is exactly teh same with CP and wrapped over Silver with no CP

2005B - MAdeira Polyneon fisheyes with no CP, so you have to use CP. Continuation of the last one. Myth broken last month when Jim Rippe did a Tartan with no adhesion issues. I know others haven't had these issues either, but I think Jim's brought it out to teh forefront and I'm giving him credit.

2006 - you cannot use MAdeira for a Tartan. I still cannot believe this one. Myth started with the Pink & Purple Spider wrapped test stick I had down in Charlotte at the NERBs booth. When I got home, I applied Permagloss to one area, and regular epoxy to teh other. Nothing bled, all teh color got darker. Spoke to Mike McGiveney to tell him don't use MAdeira for a Tartan, big waste of time. Myth broken by Jim Rippe....I still dont' believe it.

Let's see...."Myth Busters"....nah, that's already taken. "Billy's Follies"...that's got a nice ring. Me thinks you worry to much Billy!!!!! I'm going to go to work on the 2005A and really give ya a headache!

I'm not worried. I know what results I get when I do things my way. Although seeing the picture in teh forum is about the last straw because I'm definately off base. I don't understand why when I wrap over Silver, the thred darkens instead os staying the same, and when seemingly "Everyone else" does a Tartan, the thread reacts normally. I might have to make a guest appearance in my shop, lol it's been a while since I'been down there.

2007 - Billy Vivona signed as Madeira thread spokesmodel...????

Definately a myth, but I should get some sort of back-royalties for all the free advertising they got from me.

I can hear them now..."Who's this guy says we have fish eyes???"

Suppose its not as bad as the myth of the spine. Was that you too?? lol.

2004- ...and then Putter got a spool of thread with something on it... or used too much heat... or...

Anyhow, it wasn't long after Billy and I visited about that when I first had problems with a fish eye with a different spool of this thread. I still got it the finish to level but it was a lot of time waiting for the epoxy to start to set up for me. I'm going to try it without adding heat and see if that one spool that I remember having troubles with before will not do it when not using heat. That'll be interesting. But all that after a few months of fishing first!!

Putter
Williston, ND