I will be the first to admit that it has been a number of years since I have fished for Luderick, or Blackfish, as many of you well know them. In fact, I haven’t been near salt water that much in the last five or so years, even though I keep telling myself I will get back to it. But, there is plenty of time for that later. What I do know is that I get plenty of regular requests for materials to tie weed flies for Luderick. In fact, it is becoming quite the trend of late, with more and more people chasing materials for these easy to tie and fun to fish weed flies.

So, as I have been answering quite a few questions of late, I thought I’d do a ‘Top Five’ dubbings that are getting all the attention from the Blackfish chasers of late. Of course, I am in no way trying to pretend I know what is going to work, this is all based on the recent spike in sales of these products. So, if the guys out there that are chasing Blackfish keep coming back for these materials, they must be doing the trick. So, here they are, the five best selling dubbings for weed flies in recent months.

5 – Hareline Dubbin Ice Dub – Emerald Green

You will see the very popular Ice Dub appear a few times here, because it is a very cool material for this application. The Emerald Green has been becoming more popular of late to offer a darker shade in order to match certain weeds. It also works well mixed in slightly with other Ice Dub colours for added texture.

4 – Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing – Caddis Green

It does seem to be the colour of the momment, Caddis Green is right on the money for saltwater weed. This trilobal antron from Nature’s Spirit dubbing is so easy to work with as it is so fine of texture, yet it gives off a great shimmer when wet.

3 – Ice Dub – Fluoro Lime Green

Ice Dub is up there again in the top five, this time in the Fluoro Lime Green colour that is the lightest of our top five shades. This dubbing delivers a fly that is really translucent when wet, so is best used on and unweighted pattern, without any lead-free wire around the hook shank.

2 – Spirit River UV2 Diamond Brite Golden Olive

Those of you who have used Spirit River’s UV2 dubbings will understand about fishing with confidence. The entire range of UV2 products adds UVF and UVR enhancement that maes your flies stand out in even the lowest of lights. Fish just cannot help going after this stuff. The Diamond Brite is very similar to Ice Dub although it is a little softer to the touch and so, I find it easier to work with in many applications.

1 – Hareline Dubbin Ice Dub – Caddis Green

This is the standout, the one product that I have had trouble keeping up with the demand at times in recent months. The Caddis Green seems to be a winner and I have always bee a fan of Ice Dub for a range of trout and perch flies. It’s easy to see why it takes the title here. It is easy to work with, you can dub it easily without the need for wax in many applications, plus it rips out well, giving a great straggly look with plenty of long errant fibers. Under water it has a sparkling shimmer that looks great and it doesn’t clump up to much in the current.

So there it is folks. The not entirely definitive wrap up of the materials that many of you are using for your weed flies. These all work well in dubbing loops, or if you want to go all out, you can look into the Stonfo Dubbing Brush Device and Turbo Spinner to help make dubbing brushes quickly and easily for future flies.

Get out there on the salt and chase a Luderick or two. I know I will be doing it soon, it’s been too long!