What kind of foam for gurglers (going for northern pike)

Going on a northern pike trip to northern Manitoba early in June.
Although most of my flies will be streamers, I'd like to make up some
gurglers. Last year, I used a few that I picked up somewhere and they
did well. This year I'd like to make my own. I think I know how to
make them, but I'm having trouble on what kind of foam to use and where
to buy it. I'm planing on using size 1 to 2/0 hooks. They don't have
to be elaborate, just functional. Online, I've seen 2 mm and 1/8" foam
strips. I think this is what I should be using, but I'm not sure which
size foam. Also, if I make about a dozen flies, how much foam material
will I need? Thanks.

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To email, erase "forgetit"

I use the 2mm foam for tying size 10 mini-gurglers for bluegill. I
suspect that something larger would be better for pike sized flies. I
would look at the foam for door hangers that you find at Hobby Lobby or
other craft stores. I would also suggest that you go to
Http://www.danblanton.com and click on the hot flies to read an article
by Lee Haskens about how he ties the grugler for primarily stripers. He
seems to have some of this stuff figured out.

Big Dale

Big Dale wrote:
I use the 2mm foam for tying size 10 mini-gurglers for bluegill. I
suspect that something larger would be better for pike sized flies. I
would look at the foam for door hangers that you find at Hobby Lobby
or other craft stores. I would also suggest that you go to
Http://www.danblanton.com and click on the hot flies to read an
article by Lee Haskens about how he ties the grugler for primarily
stripers. He seems to have some of this stuff figured out.

Big Dale

And, FWIW, the thin sheets glue together really nice using 3M Super 77 spray
adhesive. So you can easily create thicker sheets of the same of different
colors.
--
Stan Gula
http://gula.org/roffswaps

Thanks, guys. I'll do as you suggested. I'll be going after trophy
pike (42"+) and figure that size 2/0 should be big enough.

Flycaster wrote:
Going on a northern pike trip to northern Manitoba early in June.
Although most of my flies will be streamers, I'd like to make up some
gurglers. Last year, I used a few that I picked up somewhere and they
did well. This year I'd like to make my own. I think I know how to
make them, but I'm having trouble on what kind of foam to use and where
to buy it. I'm planing on using size 1 to 2/0 hooks. They don't have
to be elaborate, just functional. Online, I've seen 2 mm and 1/8" foam
strips. I think this is what I should be using, but I'm not sure which
size foam. Also, if I make about a dozen flies, how much foam material
will I need? Thanks.



--
To email, erase "forgetit"

Flycaster wrote:


Thanks, guys. I'll do as you suggested. I'll be going after trophy
pike (42"+) and figure that size 2/0 should be big enough.

For pike that size I'd go for a 6/0, minimum.
Just my 2 eurocents,
Herman

Flycaster wrote:

Going on a northern pike trip to northern Manitoba early in June.
Although most of my flies will be streamers, I'd like to make up some
gurglers. Last year, I used a few that I picked up somewhere and they
did well. This year I'd like to make my own. I think I know how to
make them, but I'm having trouble on what kind of foam to use and where
to buy it. I'm planing on using size 1 to 2/0 hooks. They don't have
to be elaborate, just functional. Online, I've seen 2 mm and 1/8" foam
strips. I think this is what I should be using, but I'm not sure which
size foam. Also, if I make about a dozen flies, how much foam material
will I need? Thanks.


Try he

http://www.gurglersonline.com/

Lee is an avid pike fisherman. His Gurgler variation uses VERY durable
foam(big plus on toothy critters). His foam is nothing like the fly
tying foam you buy in fly shops. I can't describe it exactly, but it's
more dense, and has a rubbery feel to it. Lee sells kits with pre-cut
foam bodies.

brians