Davy Wotton developed SLF a number of years ago and it was quite a hit then, as there wasn’t much synthetic dubbing on the market.
I’m getting back into fly tying after many years, and am beginning to build my stock of materials.
What are your thoughts on SLF? How does it tie?
Has it been surpassed by newer synthetic materials?
What are YOUR favorite dubbing materials?
Cheers,
[This message has been edited by bimini twist (edited 10 December 2005).]
Not familiar with use of SLF.
Favorite dubbing materials: rabbit, muskrat, mole, beaver.
Allan
Hey Bimini,
I’m not familiar with the SLF either, but
one of the sponsors here, Ronn Lucas sells a
pretty neat dubbing mix on his site in the
Sponsor pages. I’ve been using it a lot of
late and really like the stuff. It’s called
iridescent dubbing, comes in a nice color
assortment in an applicator type plastic box. Take a look at it at: [url=http://flyanglersonline.com/about/ronnlucas/:0da22]http://flyanglersonline.com/about/ronnlucas/[/url:0da22]
Warm regards, Jim
been picking up seal fur dubbing from john mclain at feathersmc.com, its great stuff, and affordable…colours cant be beat
bimini twist,
Wapsi has taken over the material and distribution rights to the SLF. As synthetic dubbing materials go, it still ranks among the best.
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
For Dries I use any superfine dubbing, for an Adams I like Muskrat underfur.
For nymphs I’ve used a lot of different dubbings but keep coming back to hares mask.
I haven’t found anything to beat it really, though I do use Super Bright pretty oftain.
I have used SLF off and on for several years, and I like it. Don’t think of it as a substitute for seal’s fur, although you can use it for that if you want. There is a very large range of colours and shades.
I originally used it when the supplies of seal’s fur seemed to be drying up but I know of several good sources over here now.
Some of the shades and colours I haven’t found anywhere but in SLF.
I am too lazy to get into dyeing my own shades.
Donald/Scotland
bimini,
I just got done tying 200 sowbugs with it… I HATE IT!!! LOL…(just joking)
This is my first time using it… But I will forsure use it again… Not just by the way it dubs… but also the sparkle and the colors it is made in…
as for as the dubbing I like the best… thats antron… I can do alot of different flies with antron… from streamers, to nymphs, to dry flies…
I have some SLF dubbing and like it. I’ve used in on a number of patterns and the box I has had a good selection of colors that are usable.
Regarding some other dubbing types, you might check out the selection from Blue Ribbon Flies. [url=http://www.blueribbonflies.com/merchandise/flytying_dubbings.shtml:a14f3]http://www.blueribbonflies.com/merchandise/flytying_dubbings.shtml[/url:a14f3]
I purchased some of the zelon and sparkle dubbing last summer and like the material.
If you are looking for something really sparkly for nymphs, check out Ice dubbing. That stuff has worked very well on some nymph patterns.
[url=http://www.rockymtnfly.com:a14f3]Rocky Mountain Fly[/url:a14f3]
Mike K.[or anyone else]
What qualities do you especially like about the seal fur dubbing vs. others?
I looks like interesting stuff.
Guess I must be the sole dissenting voice. Sorry Hans but there you go.
I do not like it. I find it hard to work with & much prefer the feel & finish of Seal Fur. It has a natural translucence that is not found in any synthetics.
Synthetic Living Fibre…could only be directed at the American market that one
An ad man dream that little mouthfull.
Preferences Seal Fur as stated but for larger patterns I might add. Rabbit,Mole & Muskrat for the smaller stuff.
Sorry but there you go.
Been playing around with a stuff called
Awesome Possum & find it really nice to work with.
Tight Lines
[This message has been edited by Alan the Highlander (edited 12 December 2005).]
OK. I need an education on seal fur.
Is it legal in the US? If so, under what conditions?
Assuming it is legal, how does one find “quality” seal fur? What are some highly reputable sources?
Thanks.
A very good source for Seal’s Fur over here in the UK is Jim Smith in Yorkshire [url=http://www.wetfly.co.uk/:b1b83]http://www.wetfly.co.uk/[/url:b1b83]
He also does several other dubbings including a very nice Camel.
I don’t know what the regulations regarding the import of Seal’s Fur into the US are, but as I know he has sent to several FAOL posters, he will probably give you the info.
I beleive Jamie Caddick in Canada also does Seal. The same regulations will apply.
Donald/Scotland
I love SLF! I use it on some of my best steamer patterns! Scott
I had the pleasure of tying next to John Mclain of feathersMC at the mason fly tying show. His seal fur is very very nice. The source for his supply is pre-ban. AS I understand it , some enterprising soul discovered that wold army surplus winter coats from I believe he said france, had seal fur in the liner as the filler material. So someone bought all of these coats from the surplus that he could, cleaned the seal and dyed it.
john