Last Year, we launched a new series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video will teach a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.
A great way to make a buggy body for a nymph or streamer pattern is to apply the dubbing with a dubbing loop. In this great video, Tim shows you exactly how to create the loop, how to hold it open while you insert the dubbing, and then how to spin the loop into a dubbing noodle that’s easy to wrap around the hook shank. It’s a cool technique that you can use on many patterns.
Great tutorial! Thanks Tim!!
Tim,
I agree with all your steps in preparing the loop, inserting dubbing and using a tagged clip. However, there is no “always right” way to twist the loop as you instruct in your video. And twisting the dubbing loop only initially and then wrapping without any further twisting of the clip is also not always the way to go. It depends upon the effect you want. One way to get the tightest dubbing is to twist the loop CCW initially. Then, the loop tightens one turn for each wrap on the hook shank and the dubbing becomes increasingly corded as you wrap. If you want a consistent cording, you actually need to intermitently relax your grip on the clip tag to allow it to spin one turn CW with each wrap. With twisting the loop CW to start as you show, the dubbing loop untwists one turn for each wrap around the hook shank. You can see this in your video as the dubbing starts quite corded and becomes looser as you wrap up the shank. You may desire this for a nymph or emerger. So if you want always corded, twist CCW initially and compensate as you wrap to get the effect you want. If you want to start tight and loosen as you go forward twist CW initially. Of course, you can also get consistent cording by twisting CW to start as you portray and then twisting the clip one turn CCW for each turn you wrap. I find this harder for me to do than my first method.
Your friend with the twisted mind,
Bill