Dubbing must be said to be one of the most universal fly tying methods. Dubbing is mostly used for bodies, but will often form other parts of the fly as well. Using different materials and tighter or looser dubbing along with different techniques, can result in an amazing variety of body shapes and textures.
Universal method
Dubbing must be said to be one of the most universal fly tying methods. Dubbing is mostly used for bodies, but will often form other parts of the fly as well. Using different materials and tighter or looser dubbing along with different techniques, can result in an amazing variety of body shapes and textures.
Tight or loose
Basically there are two ways of applying the dubbing material to the thread: tight and loose. With this I do not mean to form a tight or loose rope but to apply the material in such a way that it will become tighter or looser when you turn the dubbing on the hook.
A screw
Imagine that you are screwing a screw into the base of the vice. Turning the dubbing in a way that will tighten this screw will have the effect that the dubbing will tighten as it's turned on the hook, while loosening this screw will lead to looser and more fluffy dubbing on the finished body.
Not always true
The technique does not always have the described effect. It only works when you tie the dubbed thread by wrapping the thread around the hook shank. If you have a rotary vice, and rotate the hook while laying the dubbing on the shank, the dubbing will be as it is when applied to the thread. The tightening and loosening of the dubbing depends fully on the extra turns put into the thread while wrapping in the traditional clockwise direction using your right hand.
Applying dubbing for a tighter body.
Applying dubbing for a looser body.
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