This is a refinement of some of the more historic methods of dubbing with the loop methods but I have found that works, and, after trying a few trials, is easily mastered by the beginners in my classes. I don?t have photos available so my text may seem overly detailed.
Starting with the thread at the point where you want to start dubbing, extend the bobbin about 8 inches from the hook shank and let it hang there.
Attach an EZ clip type hackle pliers to the thread about 3 inches below the hook shank an let it hang loose for now…
Prepare your dubbing noodle by spreading the material out on your bench top.
Pick up your bobbin with your right hand and lift it towards you with modest thread tension.
Now, place your left hand, palm up under the taut thread with the EZ clip hanging between your index and ring finger and let the bobbin hang loose over the side of your little finger (toward your body). Maintain tension on the thread between the EZ clip and the hook by pinching the EZ clip as it hangs between your fingers.
Now the best part. Pick up the piece of dubbing and lay it across the thread lying on the PLATFORM you have created with your index and middle fingers.
Pick up your bobbin, lay the thread up and over the piece of dubbing keeping the thread tension the same as the thread under the dubbing and make a couple thread turns around the hook shank and lead the thread up to the hook eye.
Finally, pickup the EZ clip and maintaining slight tension, twirl it counter-clockwise looking from the clip toward the hook shank (for right handers).
Finish your dubbing wrap as usual.
Thanks so much for sharing that! I will have to give it a try tonight at my tying bench. It really sounds like it will help with the dubbing loop technique.
i recently learned from a freind how to use dubbin loops with a paper clip. he it bent alot like ur general tools an it worked well. i’ll have to ask him more about it. but i was tying red fox squirrel nymphs an wanted a very spikey thorax an resorted to dubbin loops but i found a way from another friend at the tying table that was alot quicker for me and produced almost the same result. take some loon high tacky wax and put just enough on the thread so u can see it. then cut the dubbin up finer using, natural dubbin or an slf is the best choice, and chop it up fine with scissors. then hold the dubbin next to the thread an spin the thread an bobin in ur other hand between ur pointer finger an thumb. after that set down the excess dubbin an spin the bobbin the same rotation you were when you spun the dubbin on to tighten it up. then just wrap and i feel you will be happy with the results. i know i was. kinda off subjet but i just thought i would share.
Love it, Ray. I would also make a suggestion. I epoxy a good-size hex nut to the bottom (button?) end of the EZ clip- one that just fits over the end. When I want to spin the loop, I just give the clip a good twirl, and it spins beautifully by itself.
Thanks for the tip on the nut on the end of the material clip. I use a material clip 99% of the time for all my tying and your idea is a great one and will come in handy!
As usual, we have a great bunch of “sharing” members here on FAOL!!
Thanks for the dubbing tip. I just tried it and it worked great. I am always looking for something better and with this you have full control of the dubbing without wax and a premade loop.
