Dubbing Loops - when and where?

**ThaSandman** · February 21st, 2010, 08:43 PM

So now that I am doing better with dubbing, I am wondering - is there a particular type of fly where I would want to use a dubbing loop as opposed to just a dubbed thread? Is one stronger than the other (less prone to pull out)?

I asked a guy at the local shop, and he said that he uses loops for thoraxes and dubbed thread for abdomens - because the dubbing loop builds the thorax quicker.

I'd love to hear what some of you guys have to say

**johnk** · February 21st, 2010, 09:06 PM

Dubbing loops have a wide variety of uses in fly tying. I refuse to use dubbing wax so for sealfur I always use a dubbing loop. I also use them for most of my leech patterns with the exception of rabbit strip leeches and you can make peacock herl bulletproof using it in a dubbing loop.

**11th Warrior** · February 21st, 2010, 09:48 PM

I've used one a couple of times but find it just as quick to dub the thread. I don't tie commercially so I don't have to do anything in a hurry and I find dubbing thread relaxes me (for some strange reason). One thing I did notice when I used one is you can get a really "buggy" nymph when compared to dubbing a single thread-line.

**btree** · February 21st, 2010, 09:54 PM

I've found that if you use a dubbing loop, you tend to build a thicker "yarn" that if you must put dubbing on the thread.

To get really advanced, try splitting your thread and putting the dubbing "in" your thread instead of making a dubbing loop. You can also do this with floss. I found that you should think about doing this for flies that require a high degree of "neatness" and where you want the buggy appearance the dubbing gives, but have much less bulk where you'd tie off the dubbing loop.

**ThaSandman** · February 21st, 2010, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by johnk

Dubbing loops have a wide variety of uses in fly tying. I refuse to use dubbing wax so for sealfur I always use a dubbing loop. I also use them for most of my leech patterns with the exception of rabbit strip leeches and you can make peacock herl bulletproof using it in a dubbing loop.

John, there are a couple of nuggets of wisdom here (as always)
- the peacock herl in a dubbing loop makes a lot of sense ; I've tried wrapping herl and thread together to add strength, but now that I bought a spinner, I'll give it a try.
-seal fur in a loop may help me as well. I guess the loop helps for coarser dubbing then.

And thanks to the others as well - I knew I came to the right place

**24_7Fisherman** · February 21st, 2010, 10:29 PM

the best part of dubbing loops is being able to brush out the fibres after its been spun so that you can make is as buggy as you want. I use loops alot because i just find it alot nicer then dubbing the thread, i also refuse to use wax even though i have some LOL

When i talk about brushing it out you can use velcro or just a toothbrush i find work best. Personally i like the toothbrush cause it doesnt pull out as many fibres. Then once its brushed stroke the fibres back as you wrap. I have used almost everything in a loop so far i think, well of things that can go in loops. I can make a dubbed loop in 1/5th the time it would take me to dub the thread especially for the coarser stuff like Seals fur. I really like the way Arctic Fox comes out when looped an brushed out, its more like a hackle then anything else

**johnk** · February 22nd, 2010, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by ThaSandman

John, there are a couple of nuggets of wisdom here (as always)
- the peacock herl in a dubbing loop makes a lot of sense ; I've tried wrapping herl and thread together to add strength, but now that I bought a spinner, I'll give it a try.
-seal fur in a loop may help me as well. I guess the loop helps for coarser dubbing then.

And thanks to the others as well - I knew I came to the right place

You can also do woolly buggers this way as well but I would recommend stripping one side of the hackle or your pattern will be heavy hackled but it will make the hackle feather very durable.

**nebc** · February 22nd, 2010, 07:29 AM

Try this site. It was useful to me.

http://elmerfishing.com/en/flugbindn...o-dubbing.html

**johnk** · February 22nd, 2010, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by nebc

Try this site. It was useful to me.

http://elmerfishing.com/en/flugbindn...o-dubbing.html

Good link. I have been a member since before inception when it was 700Teeth.com, a site dedicated to flyfishing for pike. Ulf Haggstrom is an amazing fly tyer and we met when we were mutual members of a neutral site.

**johnk** · February 22nd, 2010, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by 24_7Fisherman

the best part of dubbing loops is being able to brush out the fibres after its been spun so that you can make is as buggy as you want. I use loops alot because i just find it alot nicer then dubbing the thread, i also refuse to use wax even though i have some LOL

When i talk about brushing it out you can use velcro or just a toothbrush i find work best. Personally i like the toothbrush cause it doesnt pull out as many fibres. Then once its brushed stroke the fibres back as you wrap. I have used almost everything in a loop so far i think, well of things that can go in loops. I can make a dubbed loop in 1/5th the time it would take me to dub the thread especially for the coarser stuff like Seals fur. I really like the way Arctic Fox comes out when looped an brushed out, its more like a hackle then anything else

24_7,

I have no problem contradicting you when I disagree so I should pay you the same service when I agree. I build dubbing loops in the exact way you described, with the toothbrush and brushing it out before you apply it to the shank. One thing I might add is I cut the bristles on the toothbrush down to 1/8" and am still on the same toothbrush I started with many years ago. I sure wouldn't brush my teeth with it though!