Dubbing
Dubbing
Dubbing is material that is wrapped around the thread and usually applied to the fly pattern as a body material. Dry flies generally require a fine textured dubbing while nymph patterns usually utilize a coarser dubbing with guard hairs present. Dubbing materials can be either natural or synthetic. A generalism exists that fur from land animals such as squirrel, rabbit, fox, etc. will sink more readily than water-based animals such as Muskrat, Beaver, Seal, etc. so that land animal fur should be used for nymphs and water-based animals for dry fly dubbing. This statement often does not hold true, particularly since most of the commercial furs have gone through a tanning procedure which has removed most of the natural oils. Some of your best nymphal and dry fly dubbings can come from either source. Pay more attention to the texture and color of the dubbing to suit your purpose. Many vendors supply blended materials with a multitude of color shades. Natural fine dubbings especially good for dry flies are beaver and muskrat since they have a very fine structure. Hare’s Ear and Squirrel also makes a superb nymphal dubbings with their guard hairs present. Rabbit and Angora Goat make excellent leech-type flies since they absorb water and have long undulating fibers. | |||
Hareline DubbinA small family-owned company in Monroe, Oregon providing fly tying materials since 1981. Under the leadership of Bob and Nelda Border, Hareline became one of the largest providers of fly tying materials in the United States. Bill Keough, Keough’s Hackles, of Mendon, Michigan bought the firm in 2016 and the firm has continued to prosper with the management intact. During that year of 2016, Hareline also purchased Spirit River Fly Tying Materials from Bill Black, the founder. Some items sold by Harleine continue to have the Spirit River labeling. | |||
Hareline Superfine Dubbing | |||
Hareline Superfine Dubbing has fine, long synthetic fibers. The dubbing can be used for tying dry fly, spinner, and emerger bodies. It is very easy to work with and won’t easily soak up water. Permanently waterproof. 24 colors. | |||
![]() Colors: Adams Gray, Amber, Black, Blue Dun, Blue Wing Olive, Brown, Caddis Green, Callibaetis, Cinnamon Caddis, Dark Tan, Golden Olive, Gray Olive, Henkrickson Pink, Light Cahill, Mahogany Brown, Olive, Olive Brown, Pale Evening Dun, Pale Morning Dun, Pale Yellow, Rusty Brown, Sulphur Orange, Tan, White | |||
Hareline Dubbing | |||
Hareline Dubbing is an all natural rabbit fur dubbing blend with some guard hairs. Perfectly blended to be easily workable. Can be used on a wide range of flies, particularly nymphs. Used for years, this easy to dub universal product is a must have for a tiers bench. Hareline Dubbing is one of the most versatile dubbing materials out there and you can turn to it whether you’re tying up nymphs, streamer bodies, or emergers. This dubbing will absorb water, so it’s not a great choice, but with its buggy appearance, it is perfect for a variety of subsurface patterns. | |||
![]() Colors: Black, Yellow, Red, Brown, Green Damsel, Purple, Sand, Orange, Hendrickson Pink, Light Gray, Hot Orange, Chocolate, Olive, Peacock, Insect Green, Stonefly, Rust, Adams Gray, Light Cahill, Ginger, Hendrickson Nymph, Cream, Pale Yellow, Dark Olive, Hares Ear, Dark Hares Ear, Golden Brown, Amber, Olive Brown, Cinnamon Caddis, Rusty Orange, Light Olive, Caddis Green, March Brown, Dark Dun, Olive Dun, Olive Hares Ear. | |||
Hare-Tron | |||
Hare-tron is a blend of Hare’s Ear dubbing and Antron. The 90% rabbit and 10% antron combination produces more subtle shine than most other blends, suiting clear water conditions. This gives the ease of dubbing rabbit and adds a translucent sheen to the fly. Great for nymphal bodies. | |||
![]() Colors: Cinnamon Caddis, Lt Olive Brown, Burnt Orange, Light Cahill, Golden Brown, Light Grey, Golden Stone, Caddis Green, Creamy Grey, Seal Brown, Olive Brown, Pale Yellow, Olive, Mck Caddis Green, Ginger, Grey, Dark Dun, Black, Yellow, Pink Shrimp, Dark Brown, Olive Dun, Dark Olive, Pale Olive, Olive Tan, March Brown | |||
Ice Dubbing | |||
Ice Dubbing is a flash dubbing blend of very fine synthetic and pearlescent mylar. Similar to lite brite, it is cut finer and easier to dub. Good for emerger wings. 24 colors available. | |||
![]() Colors: Pearl, Pink, Chocolate Brown, UV Tan, Fl. Shell Pink, UV Cinnamon, UV Light Olive, UV Dun, Olive Brown, Rusty Brown, Olive, UV Pearl, UV Brown, Fl. Hot Pink, Hot Yellow, Light Yellow, UV Grey, Peacock, Peacock Black, UV Black, Golden Brown, Caddis Green, Chartreuse, UV Shrimp Pink | |||
Lite Brite | |||
Lite Brite was a product acquired by Hareline from Spirit River in 2016. 26 colors available. Made of long coarse fibers of shredded mylar that are reflective. Some colors are metallic. Can be blended into other dubbings for nymphs, stoneflies, caddis emergers. | |||
![]() Colors: Black, Yellow, Copper, Gold, Pearl Blue, Minnow Blue, Silver, Fire Fox Peacock, Pearl Green/Olive, Pearl Green, Pearl Blue/Olive, Bronze Brown, Ocean Blue, Pearl Blue/Black, Dark Olive, Purple Haze, Burgundy, Polar Pearl, Copper Pearl, Hot Yellow, River Green, Chartreuse, Salmon Pink, Rainbow, Ruby Red, Deep Blue | |||
Top Flight Dubbing Dispenser | |||
Top Flight Dubbing Dispenser contains the finest dry fly dubbing available. Extra fine denier so it won’t absorb water. Constructed from high-quality materials, the dispenser is built to withstand the rigors of fly tying and outdoor adventures. Its sturdy construction ensures that your dubbing materials remain safe and secure, even during transport. The dispenser’s compact design also makes it easy to store in your tackle box or fly tying station, ensuring that your dubbing is always within reach when you need it. | |||
![]() 20 colors available: Insect Green, Yellow Olive, Light Olive, Medium Olive Brown, Light Sulphur Yellow, Cinnamon, Amber, Bright Orange, Light Tan, Tan, Golden Tan, Light Brown, Dark Red Brown, Light Chocolate, Polar White, Cream, Light Gray, Adams Gray, and Black. | |||
Antron Dubbing | |||
Antron Dubbing is a trilobal nylon fiber that Gary LaFontaine popularized in the 1970’s. Gary found that it gave great reflective qualities to his patterns such as his Sparkle Pupa. He particularly liked the clear Antron for shucks. Easy to apply, Antron Dubbing gives an attractant sheen to the fly. Used on Nymphs, emergers, and dries. | |||
![]() Colors: Fl Fire Orange, Cahill Cream, Medium Olive, Damsel Olive, Peacock Blue, Golden Olive, Highlander Green, Crayfish Orange, Chestnut, Charcoal Grey, March Brown, Light Olive, Shrimp Pink, Deep Purple, Dark Olive, Fl Chartreuse, Bright Yellow, Lt Olive Dun, Black, White, Fl Yellow, Hexagenia, Hare’s Ear, Forest Green, Golden Stone, Lt Grey, Rust, Red, Green, Claret, Fl Pink, Fl Yellow, Fl Orange | |||
Arizona DubbingArizona Dubbing was started by John Rohmer of Show Low, AZ. John was a part owner with a fly shop in Phoenix and an exceptional fly tier. He decided to create his own blends of dubbing using natural and synthetic fibers within his home garage. Within a short period of time, his blends were highly sought and manufacturing had to be moved to a larger facility. In 2023, John sold his business to Montana Fly Company and assisted them in understanding the blending techniques that John developed over a twenty year period. All of the Arizona Dubbing is marketed through a nationwide dealer network. | |||
Arizona Simi Seal | |||
Arizona Simi Seal is a coarse blend of natural and synthetic, medium-length fibers developed by John Rohmer. Montana Fly Company recently bought the rights to develop and market the product. Synthetics are added for flash and body. Most commonly used for Simi Seal Leeches. Arizona Simi Seal is also be used for a variety of large nymphs, streamer patterns, and dries such as Stimulators. Each package contains approximately 2 grams of material, generally enough to make forty (40) size 10 leeches. | |||
![]() Colors: Amber Olive, Black, Black/Red, Black/Blue, Brown, Blood Leech, Burgundy, Crystal, Crowley Perch, Dark Brown, Dark Olive, Golden Olive, Gray Olive, Olive, Reddish Brown | |||
Arizona Synthetic Dubbing | |||
Arizona Synthetic Dubbing is an innovative blend of synthetics that simulate natural peacock in a dubbing material. Montana Fly Company bought John Rohmer Materials in 2023 and continues to distribute the items. The dubbing has more motion than real peacock and much more durable. It is very easy to work with, allowing neatly tapered bodies on even the tiniest of flies. Arizona Synthetic Dubbing is a great material for use on emergers and buggy nymphs! An awesome thorax material for nearly any nymph or emerger pattern. | |||
![]() Colors: Peacock, Bronze Peacock, Light Peacock, Dark Hare’s Ear, Golden Peacock, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Cream | |||
Arizona Diamond Hair | |||
Arizona Diamond Hair was developed by John Rohmer. Montana Fly Company bought the line and continues to distribute the dubbing. Diamond Hair has long medium-coarse fibers that are bright and flashy, a blend of fine nylon and mylar fibers. This material is great for streamer bodies on patterns such as the Diamond Hair Minnow or Perfection Perch. Arizona Diamond Hair can be cut up and used as a very effective dubbing. The fine fibers have great movement in the water. | |||
![]() Colors: Minnow Blue, Olive, Olive/Tan, Light Silver, Silver Minnow, Peacock, Light Green, Pearl Green, Shiner Blend | |||
Arizona Minnow Hair | |||
Arizona Minnow Hair was developed by John Rohmer. The line was bought by Montana Fly Company which continues to distribute the product. The dubbing is a subtle blend of natural and synthetic fibers. Minnow Hair provides excellent movement in the water with great realistic fishy colors. It is often used in conjunction with Arizona Diamond Hair on the Perfection Perch and other streamers. Arizona Minnow Hair is the perfect subtle blend of natural and synthetic fibers. This dubbing will give your fly pattern great movement in the water. | |||
![]() Colors: Olive, Dark Olive, Olive Brown, Shadback, Light Shadback, Redside, Light Olive Dun, Cream, Light Silver, Silver | |||
Nature’s SpiritNature’s Spirit is a small family-owned company in Kooskia, Idaho. Joel and Julie Weimer started the company sometime after the year 2000. The company is noted for the quality hair selection of both Elk and Deer. The company branched into a full-service distribution of fly tying products coming up with some very earthy colorations for both feathers and hairs. The Emergence Dubbing is an industry standard. The company was sold to Thomas Lamphere in 2020, who was their manager for many years. | |||
Emergence Dubbing | |||
Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing is a fine, short fibered, synthetic, trilobal antron blend. Easy to dub and provides spikiness. Ideal for tying various emerger patterns. Emergence dubbing is a rare departure from the natural theme at Nature’s Spirit. This 100% trilobal antron dubbing has the right fiber length and diameter for easy dubbing, it’s a joy to work with and has a great shimmer when applied to the hook. 12 colors available. | |||
![]() Natural Colors: BWO, PMD Brown, Cream, Peacock Green, Muskrat Gray, Caddis Green, Tan, Gray Olive, Brown Olive, Golden Stone, Charcoal Black and Hare’s Ear. See Color Chart. 12 Color Dispenser | |||
African Goat | |||
African goat dubbing is taken from the Angora goat, native to the Angora region in Asia Minor and raised in Eastern Africa. This material is commonly known as the best all-natural substitute for seal dubbing. This material is spiky and softer than seal. The hair is also used to make Mohair Yarn. African Goat dubbing is often blended with other softer hairs, such as rabbit, for nymphal bodies. Used on Stonefly and Leech patterns. | |||
![]() Colors: Black, Camel, Fl. Orange, Green, Gray, Iron Gray, Dark Brown, Light Cahill, Olive Dun, Olive, Orange, Purple, Rusty Dun, Red, Fire Orange, Rusty Brown, Tan, White, Yellow, Pink, Fl. Chartreuse, Wine, Lt. Olive |