Q: What is dubbing in fly tying?
A: Dubbing is a blend of fine natural or synthetic fibers used to create the bodies of flies. It adds texture, color, and bulk while imitating the natural appearance of insects and aquatic organisms. Dubbing is one of the most versatile materials in fly tying.
Q: What types of dubbing are available?
A: There are two main categories — natural dubbing (from rabbit, muskrat, seal, beaver, etc.) and synthetic dubbing (nylon, Antron, Ice Dub, and more). Many blends combine both to balance texture, sparkle, and ease of use.
Q: What’s the difference between natural and synthetic dubbing?
A: Natural dubbing creates realistic, buggy textures and absorbs water for nymphs and wets. Synthetic dubbing resists water, adds flash, and is ideal for dries, streamers, or saltwater patterns.
Q: How do I apply dubbing to the thread?
A: Lightly wax your thread and twist small amounts of dubbing onto it using your fingertips or a dubbing loop. Start with less material than you think — fine, even layers give the best results.
Q: What is a dubbing loop, and when should I use one?
A: A dubbing loop is a small loop of thread that traps dubbing fibers, allowing you to spin and wrap them for a durable, buggy body. It’s great for coarse materials or when using longer synthetic fibers.
Q: What’s the best dubbing for beginners?
A: Soft, easy-to-handle options like rabbit or Superfine dubbing are perfect for learning. They’re versatile and work for most trout and panfish patterns.
Q: Which brands of dubbing does Drift Outfitters carry?
A: We carry a wide range of dubbing from Hareline, Wapsi, Flybox, Semperfli, and more — covering everything from natural blends to UV and sparkle dubbings for trout, steelhead, and saltwater flies.
Q: Why buy dubbing materials from Drift Outfitters?
A: Because we stock the most trusted brands and fibers for every style of fly tying, and our expert staff can help you choose the right texture, color, and blend for any pattern.
