No stopping me now!

[stu47]

See you have been busy robbie,the wing you have to play around with it a bit to get it to sit well,and not just stick in the air.When you tie the hair in use a couple of loose turns of thread and spread the hair out some to give it a little shoulder,same with the top parts,this gives the wing some width and will lie flatter,not pointing up and narrow.The proportions i put were a guideline that the ammount of hair used decreases with each section,this you will see for yourself,good luck,hope you understand what i mean

[robbie]

Thanks Stuart,
In the flesh they are not so "pointy" as I teased the hair up for the photos to try to show how little hair I had actually used. It probably had the opposite effect ;D. The brushing out really does make a difference, it certainly keeps the size of the head manageable and a good tip - thank you. When I saw Frodin at Kelso, he used a dubbing called Lite Brite which he applied to the thread without any glue. I bought some and tried this, I think it would have you on your knees with laughter at my results. Any thoughts?

[stu47]

You dont use glue on the thread,you can use wax,but i know Frodin doesnt use anything,he says it is unimportant,which is free choice,its not always needed you can dub without it.I use some stuff i think is like lite brite,use it for the front half of the body,sparkly stuff, with a hackle wound over,if you wish you can brush it out or tease it out some into the hackle

[robbie]

Sorry I did mean wax (senior moment) the Lite Brite dubbing I purchased was very brittle and almost "crispy" I found it a nightmare and gave up, Even with wax I could not get it to stay. Did i have the wrong stuff? or is it as I suspect that I am cr.p at dubbing?

[stu47]

The wax must be soft and tacky,i use a small peice and keep it soft,i put it between my fingers in my left hand til i need it,when soft it coats the thread better,then take small pinches of dubbing,put it up to the thread and roll it,mind just one way, stuff like this is not the easiest to use

[rpsalmon]

I have tried various types of wax but generally find it easier to use no such products for salmon flies. With lite bright and other man made fibres I find it is best to pull then out loose and then cloak the length of these fibers around the thread before rolling them to secure onto thread.

I found wax only of use when making thin trout flies, waxing pearsalls silk and then dabbing the waxed thread with seals fur in order to transfer a few fibers. There is no real use for this in salmon flies, apart from say the odd L/W march brown fly....and I only use those on odd occasions through the summer!

[jjtt61]

try teasing out dubbing into flat/oval sausage shape ,catch in by tip with silk, then hold silk down centre of dubbing,when in place, twist silk & dubbing as normal it gives a little start,was roman moser technique, ,also if you want stronger palmer, lay your hackle in with the silk & dubbing & twist as normal, then stroke back palmered hackle as you,wind dubbing/silk up,then rib

[robbie]

Tried again today and ended up throwing it in the bin!. The Lite Brite I was trying to use was almost "crispy" and just was a complete ba....d. I feel some lessons coming on and QUICKLY. Thanks to JTTs and others for advice, however I think i need to see It live. I stay near Annan Angler so he had better put the kettle on and the vice out!

[jjtt61]

kit kat or club

[robbie]

Both, Chocolate is a good antidote to bad tying ;D

[hornet]

AA probably only has blue ribbons


Hornet

[billytheghillie]

do you use pre-waxed thread? this usually holds any dubbing.

[robbie]

I better take a Mint Viscount with me then Father Bless You

[robbie]

Billie,
I will buy some different dubbing tommorrow, I use Uni pre waxed thread.
ATB
Robbie

[stu47]

Robbie try SLF dubbing that should be easier than that crinkly stuff,and has a nice bit of sparkle with it,or just use wool to practice with,once you get the hang of it,the rest come easy

[ibrox]

Robbie

Mint viscounts are banned, blue ribands will be the order of the day and I will show you how to tie a rangers flee!

[jjtt61]

get hold of toffee viscount when finnished wipe sticky fingers on thread if it helps dubbing youve got best of both worlds