Dubbing ... The Noun and the Verb

[michaeledward]

I was tying a simple dubbed fly earlier today, and I would like to ask some opinions of other tyers. The pattern is a small scud hook, add some weight, dub some green for the body, dub some brown/grey in front of that, and tie a thread head. Simple, and effective.

My questions are ... How tightly do you dub the dubbing? What are the effects of the way you dub the dubbing? What are the pitfalls you find when dubbing the dubbing?

I think I have reached a point where I am trying to have the dubbing material very tightly wound around the thread. I will add some wax to my fingertips, and the more sticky it makes the material, the better, I think. But, when I first learned to dub material, I would use a looser dub; fibers fickled out from the thread.

I also learned a technique for very loose dubbing that did not even spin the material around the thread, but rather pinched the material into a turn or two, then twirled it into the pattern with the wraps.

This medium is sometimes a bit difficult to get an idea across, but give it your best shot. Help make everyones flies better.

Mike

[Flyfish99]

The way I dub depends on the type of pattern I'm tying. Scuds, for instance, I tie with a very loose dubbing, using a spiky dubbing material. Pretty much the same for caddis pupae. Caddis larvae would be tied with a much tighter dubbing, with mayfly nymphs somewhere in between. It all depends on the translucency of the natural I am attempting to imitate, and the type of dubbing used.

[Flyfish99]

The way I dub depends on the type of pattern I'm tying. Scuds, for instance, I tie with a very loose dubbing, using a spiky dubbing material. Pretty much the same for caddis pupae. Caddis larvae would be tied with a much tighter dubbing, with mayfly nymphs somewhere in between. It all depends on the translucency of the natural I am attempting to imitate, and the type of dubbing used.

[Tangled Tippet]

Typically dry flies are tied with a tightly dubbed body.I use SuperFine Dry fly dubbing. Nymphs are usually tied with a spiky material,wether it be hairs ear (with guard hairs left in ) or other natural material, or yarn. The coarse material used in the making of nymph bodies adds life to the fly by replicating gills or legs.It just looks buggy. Also, a coarse or loosely wound body will soak up water faster helping to sink the fly.

[mtnzone]

well I dont use the wax, and for caddis patterns I use spikey material as well such as squirrel. For dries I use a finer dubbing.

and my "Mantra" if I feel I have enough I cut it in Half.... :wink: