Dabbler for top dropper yes and on/though the surface waves BUT is like the Muddler and Many other flies in that it can and is fished anywhere on the cast and on different lines also . Remember that a fly that causes disturbance on the surface will also be moving water when fished under the surface

With fishing you learn the "rules" first and after following them for a while you should be thinking about your fishing and come to realize that rules are there to be broken in many cases , fish how you need to fish on any given day ...............................