Beginner issues with dubbing

[dwstout]

I can't seem to get the dunnng to twist around the thread. It twits on itself but not so much on the thread. I am using dubbing wax.
So how much pressure on dubbing and thread? too much pressure? too little pressure? too much wax? too little wax?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

[Bamboozle]

MAYBE too much dubbing...

For basic twist dubbing, you want just a tiny wisp of fibers and add more as needed versus trying to twist on a big blob for the entire fly.

Good luck!!

 

[dudemanspecial]

MAYBE too much dubbing...

My first thought as well.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Try less dubbing. Thin to win.. Also , I apply lotion on my hands when tying. Probably doesn't matter what kind but cocoa butter works for me.

 

[poopdeck]

Are you twisting it on in only one dirction? If your twisting it on with a back and forth reciprocal motion your just twisting it on and then twisting it off with a reciprocal motion.

 

[afishinado]

 

[JG63]

Can’t comment any further because all the above responses are correct! 😎

 

[dc410]

A little saliva on your finger and thumb can also help those wispy strands of dubbing stick to the thread for you.

 

[Skook]

About the only thing I can add to what has already been said is to consider the type of dubbing you are working with. If you are a new tier, try using a fine, smooth dubbing until you become more proficient with the proper technique.

If you are using a thick, long, spiky dubbing such as Hareline Ice Dubbing, there will be a steeper learning curve than if you start with something such as beaver fur dubbing or Superfine dubbing.

Here is another video that might be useful:

 

[Solitariolupo]

Start by thinning the dubbing like a noodle and light twist on thread lock it down on hook then start twisting dubbing and thread together

 

[Tups]

Use “Awesome Possum” dubbing (aka Australian possum fur.). It dubs easily so it’s good to learn with.

 

[tomgamber]

This is such a practice thing. I had to.learn how much (or how little) to.put on, then I used wax, then I learned dubbing loops, the I just did spit. Now after 40 years, its just, ya just do it. I thought about this the last time I tied up a bunch of flies. You don't think about it when you're doing just one kind of fly, but when you do a bunch of different flies you realize you put different amounts of dubbing on the thread for each fly.

 

[Nocktavius]

What type and diameter thread are you using? If you’re using something kinda wide and flat, that’s also not a great way to get things to go the way you want. Sometimes I find it easiest to downsize threads to something like 12/0 Veevus to really get a nice smooth noodle. Obviously YMMV, but a suggestion I didn’t see above

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Use “Awesome Possum” dubbing (aka Australian possum fur.). It dubs easily so it’s good to learn with.

Awesome Possum is a good one for beginners, Antron is another. Hareline Ice dubbing is one I struggled with.

 

[riverwhy]

Camel is the worst! And don’t use wax if tying in your basement where the cooler temperatures make it less tacky and cause clumping.

 

[redietz]

Advice I once heard and always pass along to beginners: take half as much dubbing as you think you'll need, then cut that in half.

You shouldn't need wax at all.

 

[1StreamerJunkie]

Advice I once heard and always pass along to beginners: take half as much dubbing as you think you'll need, then cut that in half.

You shouldn't need wax at all.

Hahaha. Valid.

 

[nfrechet]

Fly tying a complete dubbing techniques tutorial

This document provides a complete tutorial on dubbing techniques for fly tying. It begins with an introduction and overview of tools and materials that can be used for dubbing. It then discusses properties of common dubbing materials like hare's mask, squirrel, rabbit, mole, beaver, muskrat...

www.slideshare.net

 

[lestrout]

Thread also makes a difference. Silk thread is the grabbiest. The non-braided synthetics are the slippierest.

 

[shakey]

Rabbit fur is an easy dubbing to get started with,and 6/0 thread.

If you’re in Philly ,I can show you how to do this