Spikey dubbing, it comes in natural forms and
synthetics. The packages shown here are natural and dyed squirrel. In my opinion these materials have a life like movement in the water that trout find hard to resist. In the past I have used spikey dubbing as a thorax but lately I have been using it as a body material. It has one drawback and that is it is almost impossible to work with. It does not play nice and no matter how much you yell and curse at it it still does not comply. In the past I have over dubbed the body and let the fish thin it out. Sometimes those tooth guys would over thin it and that took the concept of a spikey body away.
I have started using a method of splitting the thread. This enables me to put just how much fur I need and when twisted in the thread it makes for a secure body. I may loose a few hairs but not nearly as much as I would by just dubbing on the thread. Below are a few patterns using the split thread dubbing technique.
Silver Badger hackle and squirrel body.
Golden Badger hackle and squirrel dubbing
A caddis tied with hen hackle and a fox squirrel dubbed body.
CDC....working on this.
Spikey dubbing, it comes in natural forms and
Trout & Grayling do like a fly with a rough spikey body Alan.
ReplyDeleteMy favourites are gold ribbed hare’s ear, hare’s lugg & plover (or cree in my case) and, one from your side of the pond, Dorato’s hares ear.
Thanks
Alistair
I was about to say the same Alistair, Nice tying's Alan as always, Alistair we need to meet up this season and have a day on the Tees together. all the best George
DeleteAlistair Corbishley
DeleteThanks
Alistair I'm familiar with two of the patterns you mentioned..the other I'm working on..a classic North Country Spider.
George when you two gents hook up I want a full report.
DeleteAlan
DeleteWhich is the one you’re unsure of.........? I bet it’s the hare’s lugg and cree....
George
I would love to meet up for a day on the Tees this season, thanks for the invite.
Alistair
Alistair the hares lugg and plover-cree. I've seen it tied in books and online....all are a bit different.
DeleteGorgeous ties. I'm a real sucker for anything spikey - which I think of as buggy. Those are going to work awesomely for you Alan!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
DeleteThanks
Will buggy work for me also. Action in the water is so important. Come Spring they will be tested.
Which of the two brands is easier to work with Alan? It's funny because the reviews on JS Stockard say how easy it is to use.
ReplyDeleteI assume the split thread works better than a dubbing loop with doubling the thread and spinning?
bill piatek
DeleteThanks
Bill they are not easy to use. I find them very obnoxious. I put up with it because the flies are so effective with these spikey materials. I use the split thread method for I feel comfortable using it.
There is a tool for splitting thread called the Stonfo Thread splitter.
Thanks Alan. I'll look the tool up.
DeleteBill I would like to add it's not cheap, 30.00.
DeleteI see that! But from videos it looks like it works great.
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteI feel the more the hackle fluctuates in the current the better chance of a take, all these patterns will produce. Nice work at the vice----thanks for sharing
Unknown
DeleteThanks
Bill you are right about movement of hackle. The more triggers one uses the better chance of taking the fish.
These patterns are deadly on panfish as well.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteAnother dandy post for sure! I am glad to see you feature squirrel dubbings! You are exactly right about its unruliness! The split thread technique you mentioned tames the beast! If you haven't already, check out Hans Weilenman (sorry Hans for the misspelling of your last name) on Youtube or other places! It is fascinating to watch his mastery of this method! Your patterns are delicious Alan and I can see them doing great service for you where ever they land!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug squirrel can be darn right tough, but it is so effective when used. I have a fly that gets repeated use and as shabby as it is it still brings them to hand.
I have watched Hans do his stuff. He is precise and lets you see his work clearly. He is a master.
His videos are great. No 16 minutes to explain a simple technique.
DeleteA bit of rabbit or fox fur added as a binder will help control spiky dubbing. Pre-spun bodies made on a Clark block is another way to do it.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
DeleteThanks
Bill I have seen the Clark block used on you-tube. It is so much easier than splitting thread. Patience is key with the splitting thread method. When I start tying I have a good deal of it but it's soon gone after a few flies.
Alan, I love that caddis with the hen hackle and spiky fox squirrel dubbing. As Dougsden posted Hans Weilenmann has pattern on line that I really like and have had success with called the triple threat caddis and this is what that fly reminds me of. The last step is the split thread head which is difficult for me. Sometimes I just have to take a break and try it again later, but once finally finished is a great fly.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Parachute Adams
DeleteThanks
Sam Hans makes it look easy, and for a man of his talents it probably is. Where it frustrates me is sometimes I tie a few flies with out a hitch and the next couple of flies look like heck.
Your solution of taking a break sounds like something I should do.