Bimini15 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 I admit it. I can't cut freehand symmetrical hopper bodies for the life of me. And I am not so good at drawing on the foam either... So I figured that I can use a paper clip to mark the foam long enough to cut a nice hopper body shape. Picture below is self explanatory. Different size paperclip for different size bodies. And, why not?... Differently formed paperclips can be used for dragonflies, crease flies, etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hookedintheear 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2016 I use a C-pap and in the back there is a small block of foam where the filter goes. I have started to save them for foam hoppers, ants and beetles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavynets 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2016 Could you get the wire red hot and burn the shape out of the foam????? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bimini15 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2016 Can't even cut with scissors... How do you suppose I would have thought of that? It sounds like a good idea. I have not tried, but I will. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin24018 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 great idea I can't freehand either and have lots of paper clips in various sizes, more importantly using wire as a pattern has so many possibilities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rstaight 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 Chernobyl Ants just use simple strips of foam. No fancy cuts. Do some searches for foam hoppers. There are several that just use straight cuts. If you some detail check River Road Creations. They have some nice foam hopper cutters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whatfly 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 Yeah, have to agree with rstaight, no fancy shapes necessary. Just use straight strips and if you feel it necessary, you can cut off the corners to 'dress' the fly. Would not recommend trying to burn shapes. If you must have shaped wings/bodies, then the River Road Creation cutters are the way to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 makes straight cuts every time these too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Saarinen 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 I like the idea! Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2016 Here are hoppers I just tied. Straight foam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bimini15 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2016 Thanks for the comments. The "need" for shapes other than strips comes from seeing the nice cutters from River Road Creations. Just trying to achieve something similar for free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jolly Red 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2016 Just do it cause it's fun to experiment. If this is a hobby, that is the main reason to tie flies, not to save time or money. I know I haven't saved any money tying flies!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites