Dubbing Block; Old Dog Learns New Trick

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I appreciate the feedback and tips. Now, I can choose between spinning bodies with the dubbing block and using the split-thread method.

It's raining here today and too cold to work in the greenhouse/garden. That gave me a chance to tie 2 flies using the muskrat and hare's ear dubbing blend. The hackle is a mix of medium dun hen and partridge. On 1 fly, I added a tag of amber wire for some "flash". Not an exact imitation of any insect, but it should provide a basic tan and gray option to swing through the riffles.

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Tight Lines- Ken

[upstatetrout]

Very nice work Ken.

Tom

[letumgo]

Excellent flies Ken. I especially like the one on the left (the one with the wire tag). That would be the first one I reached for, were they in my fly box.

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I know Leisenring used a dubbing block pre-WWII. There is a chapter about Spinning a Body in The Art of Tying The Wet Fly & Fishing The Flymph. Were these introduced by American tyers or copied from British North Country Spider tyers? How far back were dubbing blocks in use?

Thanks- Ken