Mike, Maybe a vhs one of these days, but the vfb'ers that have 'gotten it' can tell you that it is really easy once mastered. It's sort of like learning to ride a bike. Once you have it, you can't figure out why it was difficult at all.
And don't feel bad if it is difficult to master at first. Sometimes the better tiers and master dubbers have a harder time, as they can't let go of the notion of getting the dubbing to stick to the thread. Practice, practice. Don't do a pattern until you have mastered the technique. Just rope tail after tail with one type of dubbing until you have perfected it and can vary it at will. Then your first fly with the method will be perfect, and you'll then be amazed at the speed of the dubbing portion of the fly. If you practice on a fly pattern, it will be frustrating because of the time you're spending on the whole pattern trying to learn the technique for just one part. Again, start with fine, long synthetics, like SLF or the superfine dry fly dubbings. Then try blended naturals with longer fibers. Lastly, try the short-hair stuff, like beaver, muskrat, and squirrel body. DON'T try Rainbow Bright and mole hair. You WILL go insane. ;o) DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael B. Bliss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:37 PM Subject: Re: [VFB] rope dub question > This is helpful to me but a DVD with different materials would be even > better - hint. > > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "DonO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 3:58 PM > Subject: Re: [VFB] rope dub question > > > > No I don't have natural wax on my fingers. ;o) > > > > When I said any dubbing can be rope-dubbed, I didn't mean that all > dubbings > > roped identically to other types, or with exactly the same technique. > (Bob > > Haering's 'Dubbing from Hell' (Rainbow Bright)took some work to figure out > a > > roping technique, and so did the picric acid dyed mole hair.) Long > strands > > and short hairs will both rope easily if the technique is changed just a > > bit. > > > > Start with longer synthetics for practice. And forget about getting the > > dubbing to stick to the thread- that's the old way. You're trying to get > > the dubbing to spin around the thread without spinning the thread itself. > > This requires the dubbing be anchored- that's all. With long fibers, spin > > away from the hook and let it tighten towards the hook. With short hairs > > and furs, start roping closer to the hook, or even at the hook, and let > the > > material stretch out along the thread away from the hook as you rope. > Keep > > the thread tight- important- do not let it spin with the dubbing. That's > > why mono thread works so well- dubbing WON'T stick to it. > > > > And rolling up a noodle will work with anything that will roll, but not > all > > dubbings will roll that way. Plus it's another unnecessary step. With > all > > bagged dubbings, I just pinch from the bag, anchor the tip fibers, rope, > and > > I am done. With hair/fur on the hide, I can cut a hank, anchor, rope, and > I > > am done. The amount of dubbing I pinch out is dictated by the size and > > density of fly I am tying. Whether I tie the fur or hair tips or butts > > down, or hand-blend the guard and underhair before anchoring, depends on > the > > look I want for the fly. > > > > The hardest thing about rope-dubbing is letting go of the old methods. It > > is not a blend of techniques, and doing so makes roping much more > difficult. > > > > And don't forget roping in a hackle, roping peacock, and using wire to tie > > on. > > > > If you want me to cover the steps again, just let me know. > > > > Regards, > > DonO > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Michael B. Bliss > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 2:39 AM > > Subject: Re: [VFB] rope dub question > > > > > > Having watched and tried - I am now convinced DonO has wax naturally on > his > > fingers. He makes it look so easy and it was not for me. > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 3:53 PM > > Subject: [VFB] rope dub question > > > > > > Well, I finally decided to try DonO's famous rope dub method. Thanks to > the > > vfb and Hans' websites with plenty of instructions. The method seems > quite > > simple but DonO claims any dubbing will work. I'm trying to use the rope > > dub routine with shaved beaver (get your minds on tying flys boys!) which > > has very short strands. This material does not lend itself to roping very > > well but the claim is any dubbing will work. > > > > Can anyone explain to me the best method to extend the teardrop long > enough > > to rope a #16 mayfly? I'm also having a time trying to get poly dubbing > to > > "stick to the thread". My adventures are ending up with me pulling out > the > > rope and dubbing the usual way. Is there a secret to wrapping the rope > > other than the counterclockwise twist? Are you sure I shouldn't add a bit > > of wax to the thread? > > > > I know there was quite a thread on this a long while back but I was too > busy > > at my job to read all the posts. Now, I am desperately trying to learn > this > > confounded method for DonO's swap and my fingers just don't get it. > > > > Thanks! > > > > Murf > > >
