Recently I have had many questions regarding spinning deer hair and the best method of attaining a even open fibered body for deer hair flies. I use this technique on patterns such as G&H Sedge. The other technique is for making cork like bodies from deer hair. Once mastered these techniques can be applied to many patterns.

The material used here is deer hair, select your material and prepare it so that all the fibers are straight. Attach your paper clip to the tips of the fibers. You determine the length of the fibre you would like at this stage.

Carefully cut along the edge of the clip leaving only a couple of mm in front of the jaws. If you have more than this you will find that the spinning will be difficult and the material will fall out when used.

Make a loop of tying thread at the rear of the area to be dubbed. Be sure that the two strands of thread closest to the hook shank are tight together, ( Not open or the material placed between them will fall out ) this can be done by taking a turn or two of tying thread around the loop base pulling them together.

Now carefully open the jaws of the paper clip and remove it, letting the weight of the dubbing spinner hold the strands together trapping the material, and stopping it from falling out. Now you can carefully adjust the hair by sliding it up or down to distribute it evenly within the loop.

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You can now begin to wind the dubbing onto the hook shank just like a conventional feather hackle, combing the fibers back with each turn.

For trimming the spun deer hair body, I find it best to use long straight serrated scissors for a more even finish.

Start to trim the body on top of the hook shank from the rear and try and make each cut go the whole length of the body.

This is another technique if you would like a very tight spun body. As you cover the hook shank with spun deer hair using a finger and thumb at the rear of the hair and at the front push and twist your right hand to pack the hair tight together.

Once the body is finished brush out all the fibers with an old tooth brush before you start trimming. This is very important!

Now using a gas lighter, petrol lighters and candles give off too much soot. Carefully burn the surface of the hair body. Taking care not to set it on fire!

The singeing of the hair will tighten the packing and cauterize the tips making it tight and even. Brush off the soot with a tooth brush.

The result is a almost cork like body of perfect spun deer hair with a smooth even finish. That also floats like a cork!


another awesome tutorial, Barry. thanks !
As a beginner, this is really fascinating seeing how things are constructed. Thanks
Thanks Rich, Its good to get a little response. I will be posting more tutorials soon.
Thanks
Barry
Brilliant I loved the rubber glove!
that is a great way to spin deer hair,cant wait to try it. Reservoirman