> I was sifting through the enormous amount of tying materials I brought > along for the extended trip and noticed a lot of quarter full bags of > dubbing (most of which I haven't used in years). I was debating exactly > what to do with it when it struck me to be creative- mix the stuff > together. I used to blend SLF for steelie flies before the Jourgensen > Series hit the market but never blended other materials for trout flies- > even though I known about it for years.. So far I devised some pretty > interesting leech and scud blends. For the most part, I am content with the > blends in the shops but, now that I can see the range of variations/shades > I think I might be hooked. For instances, I mixed a third of a bag of > medium green antron, quarter bag of black angora, and a quarter bag dark > olive Spirit River Nymph Blend. I tied a leech pattern with the new > concoction and when I finished, my mouth was watering! The most beautiful > motor oil color I have seen! Now I am itching to give it a go... I am > thinking about this dubbing mix picked out for some Buggers too! So I am > curious to know how many folks routinely mix and blend their owndubbing? > If so, what is your favorite mix (recipe) and what type of flies are you > tying? This might have the makings for a good online swap (?)
Yes, I am known to make my own dubbings, but typically its out of need for a color that I don't have. I recently made up some really nice light brown for some buggers that I just loved, as its all motley with peacock flash, gray and hairline brown dubbing. I am also known to use the fluff at the base of feathers (especially olive dyed pheasant) to crank out dragonfly nymphs. And yes, tonight, I did a special blend of gray antron, with peacock and silver Orvis diamond hair just for some hare's ear nymphs I am tying up. Rob -- Rob Blomquist Kirkland, WA
