I am new to this form but have been reading it for some time. I have been tying my own flies for a long time but I have not yet learned to do dubbing. Do any of you have any suggestions on how I can learn to do this.
Printable View
I am new to this form but have been reading it for some time. I have been tying my own flies for a long time but I have not yet learned to do dubbing. Do any of you have any suggestions on how I can learn to do this.
Practice!
The basic idea is pretty simple get some fluffy stuff on the thread to wrap around the hook, from there you just got to try it till you figure out.
You might remember... only rotate your fingers in one direction.
Rule No1 apply your dubbing material Sparingly. Trying to get the job done quickly by loading the dubbing material in big lots, will cause a lot of strife. Little by little works best. Jax
I sometimes wet(lightly) my finger and thumb while spinning. It helps me with the coarser types of dubbing. Also, re-spinning the dubbing every couple of turns will keep it spun on the thread.
Have you tried dubbing loops? DL add another dimension to your tying.
Later...
Yep. A little goes a long way. Take as much as you think you will need for a small section and then take away half of that. sparsely apply it to the thread, twisting your fingers in one direction only, and wrap in close, turns. Then, apply some more, and repeat. After you have done this several times you will begin to get a better feel for it. It is pretty frustrating at first (particularly when you see people dubbing perfectly tapered bodies) it just takes time and practice. Probably the hardest thing for me to learn.
I've gotten lazy and tend to use punch yarn for dubbing where I can.
I am still pretty new and sometimes my dubbing comes out good and sometimes it doesn't. My guess is the direction you twist the dubbing onto the thread matters though I haven't had time to test it out yet. My theory is as you wrap the dubbing around the hook you are twisting it with the thread. Therefore depending on how you twisted it on you maybe untwisting it. My guess it you should twist it on the the thred in a counter-clockwise direction if you are a right handed tier...Like I said I haven't tested this thoery yet...can someone with more experience comment?
There is another dubbing method I saw on a online video where on the "tip" of the dubbing is wrapped around the thread and the action of wrapping the thread and dubbing together does the rest...A Whitlock method.
ftp://ftp1.flyfishohio.com/Sparrow_W.wmv
Thanks guys for your input. I will be trying all of these soon. The bigest problem I seem to have is geting the dubbing to stick to the thread. I have tried the loop method and just a single therad with added wax and glue stick with no luck. The dubbing material I am trying to use is Fly-Rite extra fine poly. Is this what I should be using.
wax the thread pretty good, you can put wax on your fingers to. make sure you spin it on the thread all in the same direction
WWFF
Yes, being a right-handed tier, I find it is best to twist the thread in a counter-clockwise direction. That is, counter-clockwise when looking down from the top with the thread hanging down.Quote:
Originally Posted by coltranem
that dubbing you're using is among the easiest materials to dub. you're probably using far too much material. take just a wisp of it and use it to "paint" the thread. you're really not adding much more than color and a little bit of texture. build your taper with the thread.
redacted,,,,,,
Check with another tyer or at a fly shop and see if they will show you. A qucik demonstaration helps alot.
Rick
Its funny when I first started to tie I heard so many times from people to not use to much dubbing at a time I got scared to use more then a slight wisp. I found I was using to little and my hares ears nympths looked like little more the a furry hook with no shape to the body it self. While it does not take much do not go to far the other way either or your fly boddies will not have any shape to them.
A great quote I once read was this:Quote:
Rule No1 apply your dubbing material Sparingly
Start with the amount of dubbing you think you need.
Cut that in half.
Cut it in half again.
Now you'll only have twice as much dubbing as you need.
What is punch yarn? I have never herd this term before. I have some dubbing material on small spools brand name sunrise made in india. This stuff works very good for me but I have run out of the colors I use most. I have not been able to find it any place I have looked. does anyone know where I might find this type material?Quote:
Originally Posted by ol' blue
I'm about to be called to eat so no time....do a Google with punch yarn and you'll find it ...entire web or FAOL
pap-paw,Quote:
Originally Posted by pap-paw
Here is a link to a fly pattern that was presented by the late Al Campbell. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/alca.../ac011204.html
It is a type of embroidery yarn. I think most fabric stores and craft stores will carry it.
I just googled this yarn and aparently there are several types. Which type do you use? These are the types listed.Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksterman
acrylic
lustre
angel hair
metallic
neon acrylic
I use acrylic as almost everyone does...some folks have indicated they use some of the others...the acrylic though is what most of us are referring to.
BTW... now that you know what to look for....if you do ebay....there usually are some assortments available at good prices.
Just one more tip. For a neat slightly hairy appearance, just dub regular. If you need a really 'buggy' look, then spin the dubbing with a dubbing loop, and use lots of guard hairs or synthetic dub. Instructions are on this website. Experiment and enjoy!
Semper Fi!
for punch yarn i use uni yarn, it's basically the same stuff just with a fly tying brand name
thanks guys you have been very helpfull. I have tried most of your tips and things seem to be going better. I am going to check at the local craft store to see if they might have the punch yarn. I will let you know how I make out.
Punch yarn is a cop out.....and I use it all the time :oops:Quote:
Originally Posted by pap-paw
I agree that punch yarn is a bit of a cop out, but have to admit I've been using it myself. especially for tiny sparkle duns and they look great.
I'll throw in what helped me when I was having trouble with dubbing. If you're using a material with long fibers, make sure to get those fibers going perpendicular to the thread before you twist it on. If they are parallel to the thread (especially if you have too much) sometimes you end up with a twisted "thread" of dubbing hanging down right next to your tying thread but not really around it.
Joe
You have to think of what you are trying to do with the dubbing. Get a pile of fur, into the shape of an insects body. If you want a smooth body, take a small amount and pinch it on the thread and twist it to the thread in one direction between your thumb and finger. If you want a 'spikey' body, wax your thread with a high tack wax and pinch the dubbing on, the thread will only allow so much to be put on at once, dont force the issue. After you pinch 4 or 5 inches worth of dubbing, twist the thread by spinning the bobbin (in the direction that your tieing twists the thread). This will lock the dubbing in place. Generally, you will be making 2-3 passes with the dubbed thread to create your body. It may take some time to the hang of it but it is well worth learning.
If you are using synthetic dubbing that has long strands, try this: Separate enough dubbing to double the thickness of the thread. You should have the fibers in line with the thread. Start near the hook and spin the fibers on the thread with your thumb and finger in one direction (right handed, counter-clockwise). Only dub a few inches, then wrap your body. If you need more to finish the body, stop before you run out of dubbing on the thread, match more fibers to the first set and repeat until you have your body.
Remember it is much easier to make more than one pass than to try and force dubbing onto the thread.
Good Luck and hopefully my two-cents helped.
Pap Paw - Punch yarn is not as easy to find as most people think. Most large craft stores don't carry it any more. I have a more than ample supply of the stuff in quite a few colors. If you would like to try punch yarn send me your address via PM along with several of your favorite colors and I will get
it in the mail to you.
Tim
All of the suggestions are good. Given this, Mr. Blur's comment is the key. Just paint the thread with your dubbing, role in one direction, slide the dubbing toward the hook. Apply additional lengths in same manner if needed. As mentioned by others, practice...practice. It is worth your time. Keep the faith.
Here's good source. Good selection and quick service.Quote:
Pap Paw - Punch yarn is not as easy to find as most people think. Most large craft stores don't carry it any more. I have a more than ample supply of the stuff in quite a few colors.
I will be ordering some more soon.
I have few ideas for the sparkling kind.
http://www.punchneedlemarketplace.com
Pap Paw,
Becoming proficient with dubbing is perhaps the best single thing that you can do to become a a good fly tier. Dubbing allows you instant control of the body color (blending), shagginess (keeping guard hairs), and shape. If you weight your flies, it allows you to fill in the space wire where your wire ends without making 30-40 wraps of thread. It's well worth the little extra time that it takes to become good with this material. You've already gotten lots of good advice but once again:
Start with far less dubbing than you thing you need--dirty the thread with it. You can always add more. Dubbing is a highly correctable art.
Roll in only one direction and pinch the dubbing as hard as you can while rolling. Someone forgot to tell me to pinch the snot out of it and my dubbed bodies were way to loose.
Use rabbit hair or other easy material first. Get good with that before you graduate to the angora or Flashabou dubbing.
Practice making a dozen bodies or so. Put it on the hook and take it off. Start again with new material, put it on and take it off. You will really enjoy dubbing as it becomes almost second nature. I know that all the punch yarn guys are going to disagree :D but give it a try and stay with it. 8T :D