From what I gather there are three ways to make a dubbing loop of sorts. You can make a dubbing loop, split the thread, or make a dubbing brush. As far as I can tell the reason to do any of these is to create a much bushier dubbing yarn than can be created by spinning the dubbing on with your fingers. So my question is why would a tyer use one of these techniques instead of another?
I split the thread when I want to tie a small fly. Use a dubbing loop if I want a fly that is unweighted and bushy.
Dubbing brush when I want to have a heavier weighted fly and want to tie a bunch at a time. I have several brushes already made up.
Rick
Yep! What RickZ said!! Couldn’t be more concise (from my vantage point).
[QUOTE=. So my question is why would a tyer use one of these techniques instead of another?[/QUOTE]
because you get effects you can dulcalcate otherwise
http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/snowshoe_caddis/index.shtml
i think a dubbing loop is good for those unruly materials that just wont stick to the thread like seal fur for example or if you wanted to make a hair collar at the front of the fly or to even add chopped up hair to dubbing.
I use a dubbing loop whenever I want to take full advantage of a spikie dubbing (alot of guard hairs), such as hares mask, squirrel, etc. I also use a dubbing loop when wrapping pheasant tail and herl bodies, both to create a dubbing brush in the case of herl…and to add strength to brittle fibers such as pheasant tail.
Rick got the basics as I see it.
Buddy
I prefer a dubbing loop because:
- It makes a more bushy body which gives my flies more movement in the water
- I use squirrel dubbing on just about all my flies and a dubbing loop helps me to control it
- I think a dubbing loop body is more durable and does not require a wire rib which, in my opinion, give the small teeth of the fish something to hang into to and pull the wire down around the hook bend and makes the fly unuseable. I do not like wire for ribs, just my opinion and dislikes and nothing more
- I find that a pinch dubbed body does not hold together very well on my subsurface flies
I only use a pinch dub for very small or dry flies…
I find doing a split thread to be time consuming at times to get the thread split and having a long enough split to put the dubbing in. Of course, I only use Uni Thread in 8/0 for all my tying which may be the problem, but I would not want to have to have a certain type of thread just for making split thread loops.
It all boils down to what type of flies you tie and use. My style of fishing calls for 8/0 Uni and a dubbing loop and it works for me. Once you settle on what flies you tie the most, then you can decide which dubbing loop works best for you.
Just my thoughts and nothing more…
Rope Dubbing is the only way to go. Watch for my review on it that will be up in the next issue on FAOL, (this weekend, Monday)
Easiest way to dub, even the extremely difficult materials and it is fast and very user friendly!
Denny
Thanks for the replies.
RickZ, I’m not sure I follow you. Can you explain it better. To help you, I don’t know that I understand why you choose one for unweighted flies and the other for weighted flies. Also, you mentioned that you have some brushes premade. How do you keep them from unwinding?
ff,
The brushes are made separately on a dubbing platform usually with wire…ergo can be premade …have a little extra weight…and don’t unwind.
Dubbing brushes can be made with wire instead of thread, to add more weight with out bulk.
Split thread can be used to apply just a ghost shadow of dubbing as in S/H’s. Clyde and Tummel style flies.
There is also the Leisering loop that is used to tie flymphs.
There is also touch dubbing, where you wax your thread and just touch as much dubbing to the thread as you want. For either very light or heavy.
Here is a link that is just about all you need to know about dubbing. goes through methods of dubbing loops and why they are used. This link may have been posted here before, wasnt sure, im new.
http://ukflydressing.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sbs&action=display&thread=4046
for fishfool
With the dfubing loop the thread really addsno weight.
I make my dubbing brushes with wire. I have 2w4, 26 & 28 guage wiure. The heavier wire makes the flies drop faster.
Need a place to get 32 guage wrie.
Rick
I see now. I didn’t realize that dubbing brushes were made with wire. I see that you use different guages of wire. I’m assuming that you get this from the hardware store or somewhere like radio shack.
Thanks for the link LSU.
ff…copper wire …good sources are electrical wires …magnetos…can find different gauges
Rick, pretty sure I got my gold 32 gauge at JoAnn’s
You can get any gauge or color of wire from electronics parts suppliers like Digikey or Mouser. Look under magnet or transformer wire.
I’d like to elaborate somewhat. As many have said , it really depends on what effect you are going after.
The conventional loop, where you make a loop of thread on the hook add dubbing and spin will give you and ultra spikey body, which by the way can be very buoyant. This technique is perfect when you are tying clinger type nymphs. After you have made the body you then brush the top and bottom of the body to give it a flat appearance, some just trim the top and bottom. This technique is perfect for hair collars as previously mentioned, like the Triple Threat Caddis for example.
The Leisenring Loop ,as Narco mentioned above, may be the most scientific approach to building fly bodies, probably is the most underutilized , least understood, most effective way to create a fly body to boot. Now for some they just don’t see the point of it, which is fine, to each their own. But if you want to delve a little deeper into fly imitation this is definitely an avenue you should explore. It takes some time to perfect the technique but the reward for your effort will be nice. Maybe that trout of the season that looks, nudges and passes on your fly may be coaxed into tasting your fly. You just better hold on and hope your terminal gear is ready for the battle!
Jim
“Maybe that trout of the season that looks, nudges and passes on your fly may be coaxed into tasting your fly.”
Jim, that statement IMHO is so true and it is the counterpoint to the statements that say…" The fish don’t seem to care".
I’d say I’m sorry for the highjack but I’m really not or I would delete it…another saying…