SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2016 I am going to tie some soft hackle wet flies that use a small amount of mole skin as the thorax. I have some fine dubbing, but it's waterproof; is mole skin waterproof? Is there a recommended substitute for the mole skin used as dubbing? Thanks... SD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2016 Having some moles I would say I haven't found a synthetic sub yet. It has a blue/grey/silver/black hue that is hard to mimic and is fine and makes a tight noodle while still having a buggy look. If I was tying wet flies I would look at a mix of grey/black CDC fibres choped fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mvendon 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2017 Hi SD, If you have a patch or more of muskrat, I would use just the underfur as a sub. You can use red or grey squirrel underfur too. The key is that you don't want any guard hairs at all, since mole is just one length and is made up of all fine hairs. Regards, Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moshup 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2017 SpokaneDude, If you can hold off for a few I can send you a couple of small pcs that will allow you to tie more than a few flies. Mogup Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crackaig 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2017 X2 on the muskrat under fur. There are several other animals, mostly aquatic mammals, who's underfur is of similar texture and colour, the main variation is staple length. It is also worth remembering that on traditional North Country Spiders, mole itself is a substitution, for water rat (vole). I haven't found any synthetic substitute yet. Just a thought though, are you putting enough waterproof dubbing on to make any difference? Also the waterproofing may help the dubbing grab a bubble of air, that can be most attractive to fish. Cheers, C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Hat 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2017 As mentioned muskrat underfur will be your be your best bet. Being Spokane area you might have access to nutria as well. Mole's length and sheen has no natural comparable minus the original water rat that Crackaig mentioned. The mole is not waterproof. The water rat is water repellant and another reason why it is desireable. Both the muskrat and nutria will be as well but they won't have the short length and sheen. For a synthetic you can shave the fuzzy off a dun sheet of the fuzzy foam material. Pick up some mole in the future. It is inexpensive and a skin will last forever. When you get a mole skin, also get a cheap dubbing rake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2017 Thanks everybody... I'm going to purchase some mole this coming week... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NH 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 There's always a substitute. Oftentimes there are substitutes for substitutes. lol I'd go with red squirrel underfur mixed with a bit of antron to achieve whatever color you're after, because red squirrel is what I have on hand that's close. Use whatever you've got on hand that's close and make it work. That's a part of the fun of tying flies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redietz 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2017 You can always substitute for anything, but in this case, why? Mole skins are easy to come by and you can find one for under $5. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpokaneDude 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2017 You can always substitute for anything, but in this case, why? Mole skins are easy to come by and you can find one for under $5. Purchased a skin last week... $5.99, includes shipping from the East Coast... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites