What it is
Hareline Danville Lead Wire is spooled lead wire you wrap on the hook shank to add weight. It’s soft, so it conforms easily and builds a smooth foundation while helping the fly get down faster. Compared to lead-free options it’s heavier for the same amount of wraps.
What to tie with it
Use it for weighting flies by laying wraps along the shank, then tying your thread over it to lock it in place. It’s a go-to underbody for nymphs when you want to create a clean taper, and it also helps seat beads snugly at the front of the hook. It’s equally at home adding depth to streamers and weighting saltwater flies when you need the pattern to drop.
Flies and the fish they're for
In a Hare’s Ear, lead wire under the dubbing helps the nymph sink to trout holding on the bottom in rivers and tailwaters. Copper Johns commonly use wire wraps to get down fast for trout and grayling in riffles and runs. Woolly Buggers and Matukas often get weighted underbodies to reach fish quickly, whether that’s trout in rivers and stillwaters or bass in lakes and warmwater streams.
How it compares
Compared with Danville Lead-Free Wire, lead wire is heavier and softer, so you can get more sink rate with fewer wraps and build taper with less bulk.