Dubbing Block; Old Dog Learns New Trick

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I've been reading through old topics since I joined the Flymph Forum in late Jan. I contacted William Anderson and purchased 1 of his Clark Spinning Blocks. It's a good-looking piece of wood (Myrtle) and is labeled #103.

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I watched the tutorial and thought I would make my 1st attempt at spinning some fur bodies. I didn't want to try too many until I posted the results and received some feedback. No sense using up a bunch of Pearsall's Gossamer and then finding out I'm messing them up. Here are my early results. The pair on the right are olive hare's mask on olive (#16). The pair on the left are a blend of muskrat and natural hare's ear (blended in a small seed/coffee mill) on golden olive (#11).

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Tight Lines- Ken

[Roadkill]

Looks like you are in business to me! I adjust the dubbing quantity to match the style of body I want to tie, thinner for most mayflies and more robust for some caddis and mayflies like the Drakes.

[Old Hat]

Ken, you are a natural!

...or it is that beautiful Oregon myrtle wood.

I used to adjust the amounts of the dubbing as far as thickness on the strands, but I had always found myself picking out some fibers after attaching it to the hook shank and before wrapping the strand around the hook just as a final grooming anyway. Now I just use the length markers for fly size, dub a good amount and spin and set. I attach the strand to the hook then lift it up snug with my left hand and groom it with my right to the density and shape I want before I wrap it. I do save the dubbing that I pick out as not to waste it.

[chase creek]

Hi guys,
Clark dubbing block:
I pencil in the thread type/color, and the dubbing type just above the bodies. Usually make up 1/2 dozen or so bodies at a time with pre-measured lengths of silk. I keep my cards in a file card box. I have marks on my desk for the thread length so I can pre-cut them.

[SenecaLaker]

Ken, you are a natural!

...or it is that beautiful Oregon myrtle wood.

I used to adjust the amounts of the dubbing as far as thickness on the strands, but I had always found myself picking out some fibers after attaching it to the hook shank and before wrapping the strand around the hook just as a final grooming anyway. Now I just use the length markers for fly size, dub a good amount and spin and set. I attach the strand to the hook then lift it up snug with my left hand and groom it with my right to the density and shape I want before I wrap it. I do save the dubbing that I pick out as not to waste it.

Carl, that is a great tip. Never really thought about reducing the fibers after it was spun.

Dave

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I had a chance to tie these 2 flies using an olive spun body from my new dubbing block. Actually was able to tie both flies from 1 piece of thread. The fly is a size 14. I used small gold wire for the tag/ribbing. The hackle is 2 turns from a Keough hen neck (medium dun).

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Tight Lines- Ken

[Roadkill]

Great looking flies!!

I like the tag and the body taper!

[Old Hat]

Those turned out great Ken.

[tie2fish]

Well done, sir. There is nothing about those flies that I don't like.

[letumgo]

Agreed. They look like highly effective flies. I would fish those with complete confidence.