dubbing terrestrials is hard work. they are big flies and it takes a whole lot of dust bunnies to fill them out.
lately i have discovered the magic of poly yarn and antron yarn. they float, they come in great colors for grasshoppers and stimulators and crickets, and they’re easy to use. i split the yarn to the width i need and just wind it on with the rotary. now i can tie a dozen flies in 6 innings (i watch the Nationals while i tie) instead of only three or four. finally, those big terrestrials are cheaper!
I’m right there with you, CaseyP.
The Fly Tyer’s Dungeon sells dubbing for large dries called “Monster Dry Dubbing”. It’s very coarse, much easier than finer dubbings to dub large dry flies, and definitely will float a big fly. But it’s not as easy as poly yarn, that’s for sure. I’ve been using poly yarn on Stimulators for a number years now.
I totally agree, Casey. The antron/poly yarn works great for bodies. If you can’t find the colors your looking for, you can always build up an under body of chenile or foam and then dub over it. That’s what I use for my larger nymph patterns.
Hell, how would like to live in Pirate territory. When we say, “Go Buccos” we mean please leave town. I don’t blame the players–I blame management. Now there’s a reason to hang your head. Why don’t you post some photos of those terrestrials made with poly yarn?
Bruce
With 25 teams to choose from, you picked the Nationals?
whom would you suggest? the Rockies? hey, the Nats are the only game in town right now, unless you’re a soccer fan. their TV commentary is really good: they tell me when to watch the replay; otherwise they just keep me posted on the action (or lack thereof) and offer good explanations of why things are they way they are. can’t ask for more than that!
Why don’t you post some photos of those terrestrials made with poly yarn?
and show how simple they are–i’ll do my best tomorrow. meanwhile, yarn twisted tight, turkey feather wing, gangly pheasant tail legs, and deer hair bullet head with a flared collar, all garnished with super thin super glue.
BTW, lastchance, Pittsburg has the best stadium in the majors!
As a local, I can’t really cheer against them, but I feel a little bad throwing all my interest and support behind another team (I’m a casual Red Sox fan), so I just kind of try to generally avoid all things baseball.
Talk to me again when the Steelers or Penguins or Pitt basketball team are playing.
Yes, I’m a Rockies fan, even though they seem to have developed a knack for defeating the best teams while losing to the worst. Denver sports teams owners figured out a long time ago that they only need to make a fair showing and the local fans will support them. This is the first year since the Rockies came about that we have decent pitching. I’m still wondering how that happened.
Casey P: Like you I have just about eliminated dubbing. Yarns can be tied on faster and usually last longer. Also like you I really enjoy tying while watching a ball game. I am a dyed in the wool fan of the @@@@@@'s and think instant replay is the cat’s meow.
hi casey P don’t know if you there when we were useing spun fur, it is angora fur that is a yarn, sometime they have it in craft stores, but white only, it does dye easly. hille’s fly shop has it in colors. i have not dub in many years only on very small flys. when i had fly tying at the shop i show both ways of tying. i used it for wets or drys, also you can tease some off and dub it on. flyman 3
For medium and big nymphs, wool yarn is especailly good. I have a batch of wool embroidery yarn that is very thin, and can be further divided into thirds for making thin bodies. Often dubbing over the yarn underbody is not need, I just take a small wire brush (or the thin tool my endodontist gave me) and rough it up a bit. It then almost looks like dubbing!!!
it could be worse, it could be the mariners.