You can use ice dub for all dubbing applications, but I agree it works best with loops. When you hand dub it directly on thread, you have to keep twisting it every couple turns around the body to tighten it up, but it'll get you there.
I learned last week that wrapping a fat dubbing loop of ice dub around barbell eyes, then teasing out a bunch of the fibers makes a great sculpin head....
Same thing happens with the hot spot on my trout flies. By the time the partridge hackle is gone the spot dubbing has veiled the front 1/2 or so of the fly, and they continue to catch fish. I like that effect also.I've had some of the orange ice dub from the gills on flies like the one I posted flow back more then halfway down the body after multiple fish chewed on them. They still continue to produce even in that ugly state.
SF
One of the reasons I don't use a loop is that I'm not that talented at tying. I’m also lazy.
When I use it for bodies, I generally tend to palmer hackle or something else over it, which helps secure it in place, like on saltwater cutthroat flies.
I've come to like the shaggy look the flies start to get after teeth of multiple fish start to do their thing to it. So basically, I let the fish tease it out rather then myself.
I've had some of the orange ice dub from the gills on flies like the one I posted flow back more then halfway down the body after multiple fish chewed on them. They still continue to produce even in that ugly state.
SF
Give it a go. I'm far from a great tyer, and I agree it's too much effort for something like putting in gills, filling a gap, etc., but once you get used to using loops, it actually makes tying ideal, dubbed bodies easier than finger dubbing, IMO.One of the reasons I don't use a loop is that I'm not that talented at tying. I’m also lazy.
When I use it for bodies, I generally tend to palmer hackle or something else over it, which helps secure it in place, like on saltwater cutthroat flies.
I've come to like the shaggy look the flies start to get after teeth of multiple fish start to do their thing to it. So basically, I let the fish tease it out rather then myself.
I've had some of the orange ice dub from the gills on flies like the one I posted flow back more then halfway down the body after multiple fish chewed on them. They still continue to produce even in that ugly state.
SF