Book on Natural Fur Dubbing Techniques

Ok, I've been tying now for about 3 years. I've taken some beginner courses and have tied myself silly. I'm the one who usually supplies my fishing buddy (he took the classes too but is too lazy to sit and tie) which works out well as I give him my 'reject' flies which allows me to weed out and tie more and hopefully better versions.

Up to this point I've primarily used Superfine synthetic dubbing on my dry flies but I would like to begin to understand how to dub with natural furs - primarily on dry flies. I've seen patterns using all the different types of fur but I've never understood how to take an actual patch of fur and prepare it for dubbing. Is it as easy as cutting off a chunk and applying to thread? Do I only use the under fur or guard fur or do I throw that stuff out? Put it in a coffee grinder to chop up and blend?

So I'm looking for suggestions on books or articles devoted to this subject. It doesn't have to be a big fancy all-inclusive book - something specific to dubbing with animal fur would be ideal. Maybe info on what to look for in an animal fur, which furs are best for different types of flies, how to blend to get a particular color, etc.

I realize I could go out and buy pre-made natural dubbing but that just seems too easy!! http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/i...ons/icon12.gif

I do not know of any book on fur dubbing.
Usually it is a chapter or two in a general fly tying book.
The best way is to acquire some skins of mole, hare, rabbit and
different kinds of squirrel. They are all reasonably cheap.
The best way to remove underfur from a skin is with a ceramic
dubbing rake. There are two types, with small,close teeth, and
with larger wider teeth.
The smaller teeth remove all the fur, underfur and guard hairs mixed.
The larger/wider teeth removes the underfur.
leaving the guard hairs behind [mostly].
I bought my rakes quite a few years ago and they were not cheap then,
but they were well worth the money. They don'i get blunt and if you
are careful, they will last for years.

The supplier I used does not seem to stock them.
They are called the Law Ceramiscrape.
Here are a couple of picture -
http://www.danica.com/flytier/law/law_rake2.jpg


http://www.danica.com/flytier/law/law_rake3.jpg

If you can find a copy, Polly Rosborough's book "Tying and Fishing the Fuzzy Nymphs" is excellent on using natural furs for dubbing. While his first book was groundbreaking, as I recall, the revision was more inclusive of techniques and patterns.

He goes into great detail on the process--from collection to cleaning and felting to dyeing and mixing. His patterns are pretty good as well--if you live in the Klamath Falls, Ore., area. However, many of his patterns are as universal as the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear or Adams.

I just re-read both books as a respite from being indoors with a broken leg, and I was surprised at how much I'd forgotten in the 30 years since I originally read them. I am going to put some of his ideas into play this spring.

Keith

The Polly Rosborough book mention above is the only one that comes to mind - it's a wonderful book.

I did a post sometime back that may assist you a little. It describes some of the basic principles taught to me years ago when I was in a similar quandary.

http://singlebarbed.com/2009/01/29/n...offee-grinder/

While you stated that you didn't necessarily want an all inclusive "fancy" book, I would suggest you consider "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference" by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer. Chapter 10 is titled Bodies and is 130 pages long with excellent photos and discriptions. While this covers a multitude of ways to make bodies, it also covers dubbing with natural fur and synthetic fibers. This book is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge on techiques for all aspects of fly tying.

Jim Smith

Jim -

Actually I'm so embarrassed to post this (but will anyways http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/i...ons/icon11.gif) - I HAVE that book!!! I just got it a couple weeks ago and haven't been through it all the way. It just never triggered in the ol' brain.

I'll also check out the book mentioned and will review the old post.

Thanks everyone. Great info!

often wondered why Polly Rosborough used such highly hydrophobic under furs like muskrat, beaver, etc for nymph bodies... seems counter intuitive :-)

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http://singlebarbed.com/2009/01/29/n...offee-grinder/

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KB: Many thanks for that. The component overview is very helpful - kind of teaches folks to fish rather than giving them a fish.

skondolf, I just cut some off and start to dub. Depending on the material, I may keep the guard hairs or dispose of them. I may blend it in a small coffee grinder, or mix it by hand.

Most importantly, don't worry about the right way to do it . . . just do it. Before long, you'll find a method or material that appeals to you. It may be easiet to make your first batch of dubbing from a hare's mask. It's all usable as dubbing and you'll get different characteristics/colors from different part of the mask.

One cautionary note: if you use your home coffee grinder, clean it out really, really well when finished so your wife/husband/mother/etc. doesn't yell at you!!

Ron

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Originally Posted by bones

often wondered why Polly Rosborough used such highly hydrophobic under furs like muskrat, beaver, etc for nymph bodies... seems counter intuitive :-)

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Many of his fuzzy nymphs were tied to be fished for specific hatches and often within the upper water strata. As I recall, he mentions several patterns were designed to be fished 1 to 3 inches deep. Also, many of his hooks were heavy, on the order of 2 XH or so.

While many of the preferred dubbing furs are from water animals, there doesn't seem to be an issue of the furs keeping the flies from sinking. Besides, several of Rosborough's dressings contained more than just muskrat or beaver or whatever. Frequently, he added "25% jack rabbit back" as a binder. Perhaps someone who has more information than I can respond. He also was fond of saying that "all fur is grist for the mill" and championed visiting dog grooming parlors for the combings. I think he said he really like apricot poodle trimmings, FWIW.

kjackson...
I understand what he was doing it just stuck me odd that he would incorporate muskrat/beaver, classic dry dubbing fur, for a golden stone nymph while wrapping two layers of lead on a 3xxl hook and a fair amount of glue
Sometimes I guess you use had you have in hand... I mean I have undone carpet for dubbing :-)

Yeah, you're right on the using what you have.

It also occurred to me after I posted that he also processed his fur by washing it first in a soapy bath...which probably got rid of some of the oils.

I am going to find my copy of his book and review it... if I remember it has lots of stuff that would make more sense now than before...they tell me it's an age thing:-)