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AKA: Single strand 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

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

Process

A	This hook has already had a tail tied in as well as a length of copper both at the bend of the hook. Position the thread exactly where you would like to commence dubbing. 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	Select a small amount of the material to be dubbed in. It is surprising how little dubbing is required for a fly.

C	Separate or tease out the strands of dubbing so that they are only loosely related to each other. Hold the dubbing behind the thread and just below the point of the hook. Spread it out loosely along the thread.

D	Keep the tension on the thread with your right hand. Using your left hand place the thumb above the thread and the first finger below the dubbing just below the point of the hook. Gently roll the dubbing onto the thread. Only rub in the one direction.

E	Continue rubbing the dubbing onto the thread but moving your hand further down the thread as you go. This is how the dubbed thread should look for most nymph dubbing.

F	Once the dubbing is attached to the thread wind the dubbed thread along the hook shank to form the body. For heavier bodies or to add taper to a body, you can add a little more dubbing to the thread, but generally it is better to take several passes of dubbing along the shank of the hook rather than putting too much dubbing on the thread.

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