I hate dubbing. There I said it. Mostly because I am not very good at it and because I don’t have the patience to learn it properly. I am wondering about yarn. I know in Al Campbell’s articles he talks about using "punch " yarn. I asked a sales lady at a local Hobby Lobby and she didn’t know what that was. When I google it I get websites about a punch yarn needle but from what I understand it is just a tool and can be used with all types of yarn. Which leaves me confused. Can someone clear up my confusion for me? My understanding is that polypropylene and wool yarn float. I am looking for a yarn to use in nymphs. Or should I just use them and weigh down my hooks?
If I’m not mistaken, “punch” yarn is the same as latch hook rug yarn and craft & rug yarn - 100% acrylic. Look for that at HL; comes in about a billion colors. Thing I don’t like about yarn for bodies on smaller flies is the high buildup - even unraveled, each strand is still substantial and it’s hard for me to get a nice taper. With larger flies, it’s not a problem; actually easy to build up a body quickly with the yarn.
I was never thrilled with how my dubbed bodies turned out either, but for nymphs I kinda wanted them scraggly and the ugly ones worked just fine.
hNt;
I have about 15 different colors of punch yard, Adam’s Gray. Purple Haze, Caddis green or tan, etc. P.M. your snail mail addy and I’ll send you 3-5 yards of each.
I lied!! I have over 20 colors! Punch Yarn was a big thing some 35 years ago. A search for “Pretty Punch” may turn it up. I score 20 some 250 yard spools of it a few years back.
It is a 3 strand yarn and can be unraveled to use just one or 2 strands for small fly’s.
I put it on empty spools and use it in a bobbin.
Ok, I hesitate to post this but I’m going to do it anyway…
IMNSHO the best answer to your problem is: learn to dub. Like you said, it just takes a little bit of patience and practise. A few hours of that should send you on your way. Start with the finest dry fly dubbing you can find, and use as little as you can (just a whiff of the stuff - that’s easiest) and take it from there. Pinch it on to the thread tightly, twist the thread clockwise, make yr wraps, and see what happens. Once you’ve got that, try your hand at coarser stuff, like hare’s ear or seal. Of course a buddy or teacher will help, as will a book like Leeson/Schollmeyer’s FTBR. Spending time learning to do things the proper way makes you master a skill and that’s better than spending the same amount of time time looking for alternatives.
I’m not a fundamentalist - just trying to be helpful
Actually I agree with Martin but another option would be a product called wee wool. I don’t know who makes it as I got it in a big batch of used fly tying stuff with just the name of the store on the package. It’s a single fine strand of wool yarn which will absorb water and sink better than punch yarn which is an acrylic and shouldn’t absorb water.
[FONT=Arial]While I am a long way from being a good tyer, watching the PBS program ?Fly tying, the angler?s art? were very instructive and helpful to me. Leroy Hyatt demonstrates using a dubbing loop for fuzzy and tight dubbed bodies on some of the programs. The links to KWSU doesn?t work any longer, but the programs are on Youtube. Check the link below: [/FONT]
Sorry, but have to agree with the “learn to dub” contingent. Yarn in any form is just not as versatile as dubbing, hence why it is rarely used these days.
I’ve used punch yarn for years. I use ACRYLIC which sinks, as does wool. It was/is used to make the craft pictures and signs by “punching” little loops of thread through an outline/guide printed on heavy canvas. It is a fine, two ply, yarn that is easily separated. It does a good alternative for dubbing if you want a modest fuzziness. You cannot get a really fuzzy body that will compare to using a dubbing loop.
Personally, the easiest material to dub with and learn on is rabbit. Basic Hareline rabbit. When I first began tying, I used rabbit for both wet and dry patterns. Spins well with nothing but saliva. Sticks awesome with wax. Easy to learn with, and it come in every color needed in fly fishing.
I have over 20 colors! 
Punch Yarn was a big thing some 35 years ago. A search for “Pretty Punch” may turn it up. I score 20 some 250 yard spools of it a few years back.
