30 replies to this topic

[Lbifisherman429]

thanks for the info.


Anybody collect their own feathers?

[MTfishingrods]

LBI,
If you are not experimenting with your own feathers fur dubbing etc, you are missing out on the funnest part of tying. Old stuffed animals insides and dryer lint make for some awesome dubbing and fur. Feathers are everywhear and free. Experiment and make it fun. The best part about tying your own flies is nothing is wrong. Go down the craft isle at wall mart look at the beads and the ribbing mateerial you can get for pennies that you would pay a premium price for at a fly shop. Use your imagination. If like me and you dont have much of one then get a kid involved and let them help. Kids are amazing at what they can find. My dog ripped the head off of his chew toy while I was out of town and my son would not let my wife throw it away because the stuffing was a perfect olive collor and is the best dubbing material I have ever found. I went and bought 4 more of the toys only to find out they had changed the stuffing to a different type on me. But like I said have fun with it.

[Lbifisherman429]

I dont know what dubbing is or how to use it.

[MTfishingrods]

Dubbing is a material spun onto thread and wrpped onto the hook to form bodies of a particular fly. The material will usually absorb fly floatant to keep the flies on top of the water. I have some break down pictures of some flies on my computer that I dont believe are copyrighted I will try to post on this thread tonight for you but it may take till tommorow if I cant figure out the picture thing or have issues finding them. But I will get it as soon as possible.
Shane

[Lbifisherman429]

ok, are any special tools needed for dubbing?
also if i find something that i think might work what do i have to do with it to make it work?
also one last question how do i get it on the hook?


ok one more in regards to above
where do you get your feathers (any birds better than others)

[MTfishingrods]

Heres the best thing for you. Go to YouTube.com If you dont have an account sign up, it is free. then do a search for fly tying. There is a guy on there that is demonstrating various techniques. if you dont see exactly what you want then narrow the search to fly tying dubbing and it will be there. I just watched it. Different birds will vary based on which fly you want to tie and what type and color you are looking for. Different feathers serve different purposses. A good book is money well spent. Also there are numerous online resourses. Do a search for FAOL.com they have a great amount of begginer and all types of info. I dont care for the bulitin board to much but the site and info on it is great. (I have issues with the typical flyfisherman egos that seem to prevail in some circles The fun goes away when I get criticized for laying my flyrod down and throwing out a worm.)

[kelly]

The best skin to get in my mind would be a ringneck pheasant. Use salt and borax to dry the skin. After its dry freeze a day or two or microwave a couple of sec. Set it aside away from you other supplys for a couple weeks make sure the is no bugs in the before adding to your other supplys. I have lost 100s of dollers in necks adding a muskrat skin to soon. The best way to get rid of the bugs is to freeze or microwave them NOT useing pesticides. eggs get past pesticides and at times freezing. The micro heats the feather if there is moisture in it making it a little more brittle. So use caution with both methods. Also I always use shampoo and conditioner on my furs. Yes the conditioner helps. Get the cheap stuff with no sent added.

[fish eyes]

docsflybox.com, i have yet to order from there but they have great prices and a good selection, any body order from there be for.

[ipock2]

topfishingplace.com is adding a fly tying section and so far the prices look good.

Best Fishing Supplies on the Net - Home

[dewy69]

FYI

Tackle Craft Co. has a website www.tackle-craft.com. They have moved from Chippewa Falls to Ellsworth WI new phone number 715-273-5300.

Thanks

[EricF]

Hatches magazine - www.hatchesmagazine.com has a very nice forum with nice guys who help out beginners. They also have a whole section for beginners showing simpler patterns and techniques. If you are working with your own skins you might try to get a copy of Eric Leiser's book - Fly tying materials, I think it is called. Tells you how to skin and treat a critter.

enjoy