UV dubbing Material - Help!

[Bluegrass Bill]

Hi Folks, In a conversation with a friend recently he was telling me that he uses ”UV dubbing” for all his nymph patterns he fishes with an indicator and that it makes all the difference in the world in catching fish. He talked about some experiences where he and his partner, who he calls an expert fly fisherman and is the person who really insists on using UV dubbing, caught fish after fish with their UV dubbed nymphs while others around him who appeared to know how to fish caught little or nothing. Up until this time dubbing was dubbing to me

He convinced me I needed to start tying my nymph patterns with UV dubbing so I started doing some research on UV dubbing and quickly became overwhelmed with just what this material is. One discussion talked about “UV fluorescence material in contrast to “UV reflective material” I thought all UV dubbing material is the same but maybe not? I am hoping some folks here can shed some light on this for me. In addition I would love to hear some recommendations for UV dubbing materials that are favorites from experienced tier’s

Tight Lines and Many thanks for your help and recommendations.

Bluegrass Bill

[Darian]

I've used the UV Krystal Flash for sparse veils on baitfish and Clouser patterns for Baja and elsewhere. Can't say I've noticed any difference in catch rates but that might be because I haven't paid any attention to it.

I have read the Books on UV materials by Drew Chicone. It does seem to make sense but I think the main reason I use it is, why not??? Sorry, not much help.

[FISHEYE]

I use UV materials on many of my flies. I know a couple of king salmon guides on the Kenai who use UV paint on their plugs and they say it makes an incredible difference. I know it makes a difference on my flies for some species like rainbow trout, dolly varden, and tarpon to name 3. There are lots of materials like UV minnow belly and krystal flash I incorporate into many of my flies. You asked about dubbing. I use UV ice dub in many colors and also Spirit River UV2 dubbing. It does seem to make a difference. I have done unscientific tests on rainbows and the angler using the UV fly in my boat for Kenai River rainbows caught 10 fish to every one the other angler was using. For dolly varden fresh from the ocean they hit UV flies aggressively and ignore the others.

[gene goss]

Here some more info that might help confuses you some more, i was tying some flies up for pyramid and did some research on UV and fluorescence's colors. What i found out was Fluorescence's colors worked better in bright sun light (high noon) and UV worked better in low light (sunrise, sunset, or cloudy conditions)

http://www.troutprostore.com/class/color_vision_trout_eyes

http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/trout-fishing/what-does-the-trout-see/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescence

http://www.overmywaders.com/cblog/index.php?/archives/112-Ultraviolet-Vision-in-Trout.html#extended

http://www.flyfishfood.com/2013/06/fly-tying-with-uv-introduction.html

http://www.educatedangler.com/component/content/article/59-from-the-field/921-effects-of-water-depth-on-color-visibility

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monochromatic_color

[FISHEYE]

Good point. Do not get confused between UV and fluorescence. Humans cannot see UV, but many fish species can. Tarpon and striped bass can see in the UV spectrum. Humans however can see fluorescent colors. Some that fluoresce include chartreuse, hot pink, and white.

[JD]

What we see is UV fluorescence, not UV reflectance. Shine a UV light on material, and that glow is fluorescence, not necessarily what fish see, because many species can see farther into the UV spectrum than humans -- although they undoubtedly see some of it. My understanding is just because a material is fluorescent, it is not necessarily reflective, and vice versa. Some materials are naturally UV reflective, which is probably why the wing on the Prince nymph works so well, for example.

While some profess that there is a scientific reason behind these "new" materials, to me this is just another gimmick to sell fly tying materials. There are now a host of "UV" materials out there (Spirit River has an entire line, Ice Dub has variants, Hareline has UV Krystal Flash, etc.) and while they are all UV fluorescent, for the most part you have to take it on faith that they may be UV reflective as well. Only course of action you have is to empirically test what works best for you.

Just remember they were catching fish with flies long before this latest 'scientific' breakthrough, so while a little experimentation might be fun, no need to over-react to the latest fad.