I’ve spent the last hour trying different techniques of dubbing with deer hair as seen in Southwest Fly Fishing January/February 09 Innovative Fly Tier on page 22.
To be more specific I’m interested in the “Deer and Bunny Caddis.”
That pattern in a 6-8 size should do well in sizes 6-8 immitating October Caddis at the Idaho Fish In in September…
Can you be more specific, what help do you need.
I tied my Oct Caddis on 3x long 12’s and 14s.
Eric
What I’m seeing is deer hair reportedly used as dubbing via a dubbing loop. It does not appear to be applied axially per usual dubbing technique, as when I do so the hair stands out essentially perpendicular to the fly without the depth/complexity in the photo referred to above.
There’s a simple trick that I must be missing…
I believe this is the same technique used by Roman Moser. After you trim and clean a clump of deer body, you distribute the hair evenly in a dubbing loop. The hair hair is positioned perpendicular to the loop, centered. Close the loop and spin it tightly until a brush is formed. Wrap the hair along the shank, taking care to hold the hair fibers back as you make each successive wrap.
I believe this is what you’re intending to accomplish. I don’t read SWFF anymore, and I’m not familiar with the deer & bunny caddis. Do a search for Roman Moser or Voljc Caddis…you might find a better description of the technique than mine.
This might help: http://www.westfly.com/feature-article/0105/feature_530.php
I think you’re on the right track with the dubbing loop, try “stroking” the hair back with every turn so that it lays flatter, like you would with a soft hackle feather.
I added a bit of dubbing to one leg of the loop then the deer hair.This adds a bit of body the fly.The pattern is really simple and does work 
HARRY,
You design killer patterns!!!
PT/TB
There’s a remarkable ammount of knowledge in this community. Thanks for the help!
When dubbing with deer hair, remember that your fingers will be sore. It is like dubbing with sandpaper, and even commercial tiers will notice blisters after two-dozen flies
Is this something I really want to try? I’ve heard of suffering for your art…
Here’s a October Caddis with a Deer Body, loop dubbed, thorax of spun dun snowshow rabbit and cdc for the wing… and…wood duck antenna
Any good (slick) way of loading the deer hair into the dubbing loop? I tried a bunch of different ways (with waxed thread) with low yield caught in the dubbing loop.
BB King - Gotta’ pay the cost to be the boss…
trim the hair short , you would need to that later anyway. Use finer hair than spinning. when you get the hair in the loop study this photo,
http://www.troutflies.com/tutorials/snowshoe_caddis/15.shtml
my pointer finger has in essences locked the hair place… you don’t need much…which in my tying life I wish I had a buck for every time I have said it…to myself as well:-)…spell check would be second
These flies are neat! I’ve been using more and more squirrel hair/fur because I like the ‘buggyness,’ but these deer hair dubs just knock my socks off! If my boss gives me some time off, I’m going to try it!!
Ron
We’re fishermen (persons - PC). We’re gluttons for punishment!