Tying Tips: Building a Marabou Brush

[@johnk9698]

I've been tying for 60 years. This is one of the best tips I've seen. Thank you very much.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks John, glad you found value in the brushes. Means a lot coming from someone with so much time on the bench!

[@cristymorrison3045]

You've really dailed in your deer hair skills the past few years. So much talent. I honestly have always been impressed with your skill set when it comes to deer hair but looking back at the streamers you tied when we met to what you produce now is impressive! You just keep improving with time. Thank you for sharing all your secrets with us rookies!

[@varnersstreamers]

It's crazy, it is night and day...I was really proud of the ones I tied 4 years ago, now I think they all belong in the reject box.

[@nextlevelangling]

Your reaction to the dog barking 😂. Great video, I've been looking for ways to recycle spare material. Marabou brushes are great, and I think I could combine the marabou with other spare materials to add some flash etc. Thanks for the tips!

[@varnersstreamers]

Haha they sure keep me on my toes...absolutely, I think adding some flash would be a great addition to the brush.

[@Utahlonghorn]

Love the box you built! You know I've been waiting on this one for sure. I'm sure we will see the marabou dubbing brushes appear in the Hareline catalog before long. They should pay you a percentage. Great job as always brother keep that herd of pups in line.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Lee, this one was a fun video to film. Haha, they're a full time job!

[@Bridgestreetnursery]

Another great video. I guess I'll be in the garage tomorrow building this jig.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thank you, let me know how it goes!

[@FrugalFlyRodder]

Great info on not wasting good material. As for any static issues... use a dry sheet (I have a box of them at my tying station) and rub them on the surface where the marabou moves. This especially works well if you rub your hands with the dryer sheet preventing the marabou that acts like your hands are a magnet.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks for the info, I'll have to give that a shot. I've used them in the past for deer hair and stackers when they get static build up but didn't even think of that for the marabou application. Thanks!

[@gisgrifer]

Really great idea!! Love saving material

[@varnersstreamers]

Thank you, You cant beat the look these give either once you get them dialed in.

[@lorenirving8230]

Josh, again thanks for this tip. I took a shot at trying it out and on my second one laid in some lady amherst and some blue flashabou and made up some Ho Bo Spey pattern brushes. They look great and I'll use them on flies for BC in the fall. thanks

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Loren, that brush sounds great! Good luck this fall!

[@Havsnsnd]

Great video. I’ve been using a dubbing loop for marabou scraps while tying. Really liking the idea of scaling it up.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Dan!

[@vasik9719]

Good job!👍 Thanks for sharing!

[@robertbaker8164]

al the marabou i have put in the trash i could have save a enough to go fishing with you and Kelly great video

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Robert, ya its amazing how quick it adds up too.

[@lorenirving8230]

Terrific.

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Loren!

[@fishgod20]

The brush you created here seems to be for large flies…any tips for smaller flies /nymphs???

[@varnersstreamers]

Gordon, it is for the bigger flies and would be very tough if not impossible to scale down to a smaller bug. If you would like to tailor something for the smaller flies, I'd suggest either trimming the marabou down before putting it into a dubbing loop or using something like CDC.

[@patrickoverway2540]

Great idea Josh, those look great! Happen to share the schematics on that brush box?

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Jeff

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Patrick! If you have any questions on the brush video, just let me know. I think I still have the measurements around somewhere.

[@patrickoverway2540]

@@varnersstreamers Thanks Josh! I watched the other assembly video, and yea i'm going to have to tailor this to my drill, and I'll probably get my carpenter buddy involved a bit. Keep the vids coming dude!

[@anthonyjackson9195]

What issues were you running into when tying and using the maribou on the jigs?

[@kennethsanders963]

Is there a specific wire for dubbing brushes .I also have made a table and have made several brushes but,I don't use a drill any more because it would break the wire every time.so I turn it by hand and it works great.I'm in Calgary, Canada and most of my material comes in from the US ,however, none of my suppliers have heard of it. A BR is to thicker medium is good for some heaver wire brushes so I am now using small wire by hand. WHAT DO YOU USE.

[@varnersstreamers]

Hey Kenneth, I use a medium dubbing brush wire from UTC. Hareline distributes most of their stuff here in the states. It's a stout wire and will allow you to go back to a drill for turning the longer brushes.

[@rabbithole_flies]

your killin it! i have a dubbing brush set up that i haven't used yet so this is going to help motivate me! no more waste now! whete do you get those big hanks of marabou?

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Patricia, you'll love the brushes once you get started. I get all of my marabou through either hareline or MFC. Kelly sells the 1 oz packs from the shop.

[@allieone8518]

Could you do a review of fly tying vises you have gone through? Why did you settle down on Renzetti Presentation 4000 instead of, say, Regal or Dyna-King? Thanks a lot.

[@varnersstreamers]

Sure, I can put a video together on vises. I've been meaning to get to that one for some time now.

[@steelcurtin7362]

Great video, what kind Marabou do you use for this, x-select? and where do you buy it from

[@varnersstreamers]

All blood quill marabou, don't waste your time/$ on x-select.

[@MrThedystro]

what is the size of wire?

[@varnersstreamers]

I use medium for the marabou brushes.

[@Asands62]

Hey Josh, been awhile but I’m back at the bench.great video as always.I just started tying on a norvise and ordered the dubbing brush table. I tie working flys and streamers for bass and throw away allot of materials,so thanks for sharing this great concept. I noticed you didn’t use or need wax on the wire. Is that just because of the material you’re using? Or no need for wax? And my table is much smaller, thinking that it’s still worth the time to make shorter brushes, right? I’ve never attempted to build brushes yet so all your input is greatly appreciated , thanks again!

[@varnersstreamers]

Thanks Adam, and yes I would say that the brushes even though shorter will be well worth your time. It really doubles as a great material yet it also uses what would typically be thrown in the trash. As far as wax is concerned, I've never found it to be necessary but if you're using a nylon or cotton medium, it could be useful.

[@k.flydesign498]

Great video as usual ,, and i learned a new word hahahahaha "stupid juice " love it hahahaha Thanks man,,,, thumbs up ;)

[@varnersstreamers]

Thank you, haha ya that one is a classic. I cracked up when I first heard it.