The Dubbing Loop, is a simple technique for building
bulk in the thorax area of the fly. Yet most fly tiers
are missing out on all that can be done with the Dubbing
Loop. The possibilities are endless. This is one area
a person can really think "Outside the Box."
First I want to introduce two terms I will be using.
Gossamer: (noun) 1. a fine cobweb or a thin thread from
one. 2. a very thin, delicate cloth. (adj.) light as a cobweb
[gossamer wings].
Dubbing Spinner: Tool used to create a Dubbing Loop. Used
to help spin thread. You can make a Dubbing Spinner from a
heavy duty paper clip and a bullet shaped split weight.
You can also purchase a Dubbing Spinner at any Fly Shop.

1. Pull out about 6-to-8 inches of thread, towards you from the hook.

2. Apply Dubbing Wax to thread, starting at the hook,
sliding the wax applicator towards you.

3. Using the index finger of your left hand (if you are right
handed), double the thread back over the shank of the hook.

4. Wrap the thread around the hook, 2-to-3 rotations,
and then swing the thread over the dubbing loop once.
Then wrap the thread forward to just behind the eye of
the hook.
5. Now pull a thin gossamer of dubbing, placing it across
interior of the dubbing loop, as close to the hook shank
as possible. Continue adding gossamer of dubbing to interior
of loop, until you have enough for wrapping the abdomen.

6. Pinching both threads, between the fingers of your right
hand. Insert Dubbing Spinner (special tool) to the end of
the loop. Spin the thread behind your where your fingers
are pinching the thread. Once the thread is spun tightly.
Release your fingers from the thread.

7. Here is the thread with spun and secured dubbing.

8. Now you wrap this spun dubbing forward and secure
at the eye of the hook.
That is all there is to it and you have a thicker, bulkier
body on the fly. Just so you don't have the ask, the red
fingernails are NOT mine, they belong to my assistant for this
section, my daughter, Amanda L. McGarthwaite.
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the
Bulletin Board, on FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them along.
Someone else thought up most of this material before we did,
they just forgot to tell anyone about it. Or else we just
forgot about it, while learning something else. Let us
share with each other, all the things we know!
~ Steven H.
McGarthwaite ParnelliMN@aol.com (Chat Room AKA Parnelli)
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