I just picked up a box of 20 different colors of Targus SST dubbing at a local fly shop “expo.” Colors were perfect and the price was too good to pass up. Now that I own it, have any of you worked with this material? Thoughts? Reactions? I’m gonna tie up some of my favorite dries just to try out. Thanks!
John
Hi jburge,
I didn’t know that Targus was branching out. The only product that I have bought from them was hooks and those were hard to get because of an irregular supply to dealers. BTW, the hooks were highly satisfactory and half the price of several well-known brands.
From the lack of response to your post, it seems like very few other FAOLers are familiar with Targus Dubbing either. Dubbing is pretty much dubbing. I would use it were you need it and then post some great pictures of your handy work. Have fun it. New stuff is great! 8T 
I was probably at the same fair and it seems Targus really branched out… The shop pretty much just replaced one wall with Targus products… Dubbing, flash material, hooks, and synthetic hair is what I remember the most…
John:
IMHO, Targus SST (SST=salmon steelhead trout) ) is really meant for wets, not dries. It is like Hairline’s “Trilobal” dubbing, sort of a synthetic angora goat. Great for steelhead flies, looks good in a dubbing loop, and if push came to shove would make a pretty good Stimulator body and/or thorax if you can get the right colors. Not, however, something I would use for smaller dries.
I don’t know about their dubbing, but their Foxx fur (craft fur) is the best that I’ve ever seen.
Kevin
Thanks, guys. One of the things I did like is the color system that Targus is using to cross match different types of dubbings and fur–all on a number system they say is based on the Borger Color System.
And Jgoding, funny you were there too. You’re right about the entire wall of the shop being replaced with Targus stuff. I had to pick up some hooks as well, so it’s going to give me a chance to try 'em out too.
Thanks for the tip whatfly. I also just happened 
to get my set of foam body cutters in the mail yesterday too, so I think I’ll try tying up some Chubby Chernobyls with the SST as the underbody.
I’ll post a couple of pics when they’re done.
John
I was outa town for that one. I usually go in there every year the weekend before the season opens…
Small world
maodiver
Woodland, ca
I really like the Targus dubbing for wet flys, especially the price
Just an FYI - Targus is Gary Borger’s company.
Heritage Angler, ha! Thanks, I didn’t know that.
Well, I did some quick tying (nothing spectacular), but wanted to post the results so y’all could see how this dubbing looks.
The first one is just a hook that I dubbed with two colors so you could see how “buggy” it really looks:
And now, here’s the same hook with a little trim (Hey, I just wanted a little off the top!):
Next, is a double dubbing loop. I thought this might make a good underbody for some kind of bugger, so I ran two dubbing loops over the length of the hook:
(See next message. Can’t post more than 4 pix.)
This is a size 10 chubby chernobyl (again, this was a quick tie):
And the underside of the same bug:
Finally, here’s another chubby chernobyl. This is a size 8 with a different color underbody:
And a fish eye’s look from below:
I’m definitely NOT going to use this for my little 14 and 16 dry flies, but I can certainly see some uses in plenty of other places. Hope this helps.
John