tying with foam

[colbyjack 0]

when you guys are making worms or grasshoppers out of foam. say your using 2 or 3 colors for the body. do you glue them together before hand like a laminate? or do you just tie them on as you go and use a dab of head cement to " spot hold them". can i see some pictures of what flies/hoppers/poppers you guys have made out of foam. was going to make a fat green and yellow catapillar but was wondering if i should lamanate the foam or just glue as i go. what size of hook is common on foam flies? -chris

[nomad 0]

Chris,

I glue foam sheets together with spray adhesive or superglue with a brush applicator, the spray adhesive works better though. I have also used adhesive backed foam with good results. I use hooks in sizes #6 through #10. Hope this helps.l

[flytire 0]

http://shop.flyfishing.about.com/fly_archive/details/328.htm

[colbyjack 0]

http://shop.flyfishing.about.com/fly_archive/details/328.htm

 

 

thanks, i got that link last night from gene. he showed me one he tied and i forgot how he glued it. i was courious if one can make them with out glueing them together. or if they will just fall apart.

 

what else can one make out of foam? -chris

[flytire 0]

Try click on a few of these

 

http://www.ultimateflytying.com/FoamFlies.htm

[madkasel 0]

what else can one make out of foam? -chris

 

 

My favorite fly of the moment is the Los Alamos Ant. There are some excellent pictures and instructions in the fly pattern database for them.

 

Search for that, or go to the database and put "foam" into the generic search box and see lots more.

[colbyjack 0]

thanks guys that should keep me busy for a while...lol -chris

[TBlue 0]

Colbyjack, Here is probably the easiest foam bug that I have tied. For me it is a killer for Crappie and Bluegill.

Just 2MM foam of whatever color, rubber legs, a size 12 or 14 hook and black thread.

Todd. :rockon:

 

 

 

[RunninDetox 0]

If you are just learning to tie with foam, may I suggest tying up some ants. They are a very simple way to learn to tie with foam. Don't get to carried away with whatever adhesive you are using (I use super glue), if you use way to much your fly will sink like a rock, and if you get into colouring your flies, the felt will take on a slightly different colour if you try and colour the foam where to much adhesive has squirted out the side.

 

Hope ths helps,

Jay

[gbflytyer 0]

I TYPICALLY GLUE THEM TOGETHER USING SPRAY ADHESIVE, AND USE A FISKARS ROLLING CUTTER TO CUT THEM. BUT BE CAREFULL AS THIS IS VERY SHARP. YOU CAN ALSO MAKE EXTENDED BODIES BY PLACING THE THREAD BETWEEN THE FOAM MAKING YOUR FIRST SEGMENT THEN MOVING THE THREAD BETWEEN THE FOAM TO YOUR NEXT SEGMENT. THIS WAY YOU CAN USE A SMALLER WIDE GAPE HOOK. I HAVE FOUND THIS BETTER FOR HOOK SETS AND YOU DON'T GET THE FLIES LANDING UPSIDE DOWN. ALSO USE A HEAVY WIRE NYMPH HOOK AS THIS HELPS THE FLY RIDE CORRECT ALSO. :headbang: :hyst:

[HideHunter 0]

Hi Chris, really enjoyed meeting you. Me teaching someone to tie flys is a little like someone teaching you to crochet with a jack hammer. :hyst:

 

On the Club Sandwich or other foams that are "tied" sometimes I keep a few sheets of the 'sticky back' foam around (costs like 15 cents more a sheet ). Then, when I get the thread around them they hold together fine.

 

When making eyes or bodies like the Tokyo Spider I showed you, I use a drop of Super Glue.

 

Just received a Stealth Bomber "Full Pimp" from Kent Edmonds in exchange for my picture (actually the *fish's* picture.) Too cool! :headbang: Makes mine look a little crude. :whistle:

 

Have fun..

[Illinoisgiller 0]

Chris, If you don't want to mess with the contact cement, run down to the Hobby Lobby and they have a ton of colors of foam with or without the sticky back . I've got an old can of contact cement here also. I've actually got more foam than I'll use in this lifetime, and be happy to share .Mike

HideHunter- I'm going slip off to south Iowa one of these days and see if there are any gills that you haven't "educated" yet. lol Mike

[Slugger Shayla 0]

how do i set a darn avatar on this board? i'd like to put up a picture

[Slugger Shayla 0]

how do i set a darn avatar on this board? i'd like to put up a picture

[HideHunter 0]

Giller - repeat after me."There are *no* 'gills in Iowa! - there are..." :j_k: Actually there are two.. and I educated both of them.. :hyst:

 

Welcome to the site..g