Mole Dubbing Substitute?

[Randyflycaster]

I see a lot of spider recipes call for mole dubbing. I can't seem to find the dubbing for sale. What can I use as a substitute?

Thanks,

Randy

[narcodog]

Randy,
Just order the mole skin and a fur rake, that is the best way. http://www.jimsflyco.com has it as do others. There are many colors available and it is easy to use and not expensive.

Mole Skin:
http://www.jimsflyco.com/furs/mole-skin/

Veniard's Dyed Mole Skins:
http://www.jimsflyco.com/furs/veniards-mole-skins/

Inexpensive Fur Rake:
http://www.jimsflyco.com/other-tools/du ... nd-teaser/


Wasatch Fur Rake:
http://www.jimsflyco.com/other-tools/wasatch-fur-rake/

[Mataura mayfly]

In my own way of thinking, if you can get Mole- use Mole.
Mole seems to be a "dubbing of choice" for many small wet flies. As with some materials used in a LOT of patterns (silk is a good example) there may be certain properties of that specific material that make it the ideal choice. It may not be obvious to us as we view the flies more often dry and above the surface, but it may be important under the surface in the way it looks or performs. Bit like Peacock herl in a fly, we know it has that something special, just not sure exactly what it is.
The fact Mole has been used in fly patterns for a very long time and is still being used makes me think it may be one of "those" materials.

Having said that Mole is very hard to find here in NZ. I know of only one supplier. Some Rabbit underfur and Water Rat make good colour subs.

[letumgo]

Randy - Most of the old patterns call for natural mole fur, which is sort of an medium to very dark gray (dun) color. The skins are easily dyed and are commonly sold as black or brown skins (small tanned hides rougly 4 inches long by about 3 inches wide). These skins can also be bleached to get nice lighter browns and tan color dubbing (see photo below). The texture of the fur is very similar to that of a common hamster or field mouse. Years ago I found a source for the dyed mole skins, but unfortunately they have since gone out of business.



Colors from left to right:
Dark Claret, Light Claret, Dark Olive, Olive, Light Brown (bleached), and Tan (bleached a lot)

Mole is very easy to use, and works very well on small soft hackle flies. The dubbing is generally scrapped directly off the hide using a small dubbing rake. The resulting dubbing is a nice blend of the fur directly from the hide. This dubbing blend is very soft and dubs easily onto the tying thread. A lot of patterns call for a very light coating of mole dubbing, in which the tying thread is waxed and then the dubbing is lightly touched to the now tacky tying thread. I've seen this referred to as a lightly "dusting" the thread.

[tie2fish]

For what it's worth, I usually just pull the mole hair off the hide with the tips of my fingers/thumb.

[letumgo]

Bill - Yeah, I guess that would work too, but then what would I do with the silly little rake I bought?

[DUBBN]

I should buy a rake. I have been scraping the hide with a painters razor blade. Some day I will cut my arm off by accident.

Back on point, I have only used mole for a few months. Prior to that I made due with different shades of muskrat under fur.

[letumgo]

Muskrat underfur is an excellent idea for a sub. The fur is very fine and and has a nice gray color. Great idea Wayne.

[tie2fish]

One of the most desirable characteristics of mole is its short length -- especially for touch dubbing.

[Darwin]

Performance Flies has a few in stock or you can get them from the UK

http://www.performanceflies.com/category-s/218.htm

http://www.theessentialfly.com/mole-skin-dyed.html