Dubbing – loop method of dubbing

 

AKA: Loop method of dubbing.
From a fly tying point of view the word "dubbing" has two meanings.

The word dubbing is used to describe the technique of attaching natural fibres such as animal fur, and synthetic fibres such as synthetic living fibre (SLF) or antron dubbing, to a thread before winding it onto a fly. The technique involves winding in, spinning in or rubbing in the animal fur or synthetic fibres onto the thread or threads so that they can be wound onto the hook to create part of a fly generally the body and or thorax.

The second meaning refers to the  natural fibres such as animal fur, and synthetic fibres such as SLF or antron dubbing that are generically described as "dubbing".

The key elements of the dubbing loop method of dubbing are:

Dubbing material is trapped inside a loop that is twisted into a rope.
This is the best method for dubbing coarse materials such as SLF or stands of material such as hair etc..

The dubbing techniques for a right handed fly tier are set out below. If you are left handed please remember to switch the instructions around.

Process

A
  1. This hook has already had a tail tied in at the bend of the hook.
  2. Position the thread exactly where you intend to start dubbing in.
  3. If the thread is not pre-waxed or if the dubbing wont stick to the thread apply a little dubbing wax. One or two passes along the thread are generally enough. As you become more experienced with dubbing you will generally find that the application of wax is not necessary.

B
  1. Select a small amount of the material to be dubbed in. It is surprising how little dubbing is required for a fly.

C
  1. Create a loop in the thread. It is important that the loop be a closed loop at the point it leaves the hook shank. If the sides of the loop are separated by a thick body as in this picture more often than not the dubbing material will fall out of the loop before you proceed with the next step.
  2. The finished loop will need to be about four times as long as the hook if your going to dub the entire length of a relatively bare hook shank.
  3. Keep the loop open with your left hand or with a dubbing loop tool.

D
  1. Spread the dubbing out along the inside of the loop starting just below the point of the hook.
  2. Move the bobbin thread to the position where you intend to finish your dubbing.
  3. Close the loop trapping the dubbing material inside the closed loop.

E
  1. Take hold of the bottom of the closed loop and whilst retaining tension twist the thread in one direction to form a rope.
  2. You need to keep tension on the dubbing loop rope until it is tied off. You can do this step with your fingers but it is generally easier to use a dubbing tool or even your hackle pliers to hold the end of the closed dubbing loop.

F
  1. Once the dubbing loop rope has been formed wind the dubbed loop rope along the hook shank in touching or separated turns (depending on the recipe) to form the body.
  2. At each wrap of the dubbing loop rope around the hook shank it may be necessary to stroke or hold the fibres from the previous wrap of dubbing out of the way, with the fingers of your left hand, to make sure that none are trapped.
  3. If your dubbing loop rope is not long enough tie it off and create another dubbing loop rope the same as the first and continue.
  4. When the full body has been dubbed take two or three firm wraps of thread to tie the dubbing loop off and trim the excess close to the tie off.