Any Tips For Using Cork?

[Arofishing]

So I've now got a vise, adhesives, some synthetic materials and I've been collecting feathers when I go wading, I'm ready to tie some flies! I'd like to stick to poppers and buggers right now, since I am mostly fishing for bass anyway and those two seem to be some of the easier things to tie.

As I look in my kitchen I see all these half empty wine bottles laying about, what better reason to start drinking them than getting all that cork for my poppers! I've found it fairly easy to work with, but wondered if anyone had any tips I wasn't aware of. I've heard about getting cork/hobby filler to make a smooth surface, where does one find that exactly (if at Hobby Lobby, know what section, brand names etc...)? I've also heard about getting some 400 grit sand paper to get more symmetrical shapes, as you may be able to see in the photo below, that's an issue right now. I also need to get some gloss, any recommendations here as well?

Also, I bought some foam bodies at Bass Pro, but I was wondering about other people's favorite places to get foam? I noticed they had some foam sheets at Hobby Lobby and may make a trip back there soon.

Below is my very first fly, a slider of sorts. Not that great or elaborate but I think it will catch something . The texture didn't come out like I would have liked because my whip finish sucked so I just glued the thread on, which of course dampened down the chenille flash quite a bit.

[Flysmallie]

Fishinwrench is your cork guy. He buys some premade bodies. You can take a dremel or drill and use it like a lathe to create some nice bodies, works with foam too.

I like foam better than anything, but it's what I have used the most. 2 part epoxy is a good choice of coating on either material. You will have to find a way to turn the fly after coating with epoxy to get a smooth sag free finish.

And yes I buy most of my foam sheets at Hobby Lobby or similar.

[Gavin]

Wine corks work great for popper bodies..but you will have to figure out a way to cut them down into consitant workable sizes before you shape the heads. Balsa is a bit easier to work with because you can pick it up in different dimensions at the hobby store...A hobby miter box & saw or a homemade jig helps to make your cuts consistant. Bass poppers arent hard to make, but the process can be very time consuming. Have fun!

[Arofishing]

Wine corks work great for popper bodies..but you will have to figure out a way to cut them down into consitant workable sizes before you shape the heads. Balsa is a bit easier to work with because you can pick it up in different dimensions at the hobby store...A hobby miter box & saw or a homemade jig helps to make your cuts consistant. Bass poppers arent hard to make, but the process can be very time consuming. Have fun!

I'll look into a miter box and saw. I'm not much of a "hand man" so I am just now looking up what these things are, thanks for the advice! I'll look into balsa as well, I just like the idea of using stuff I have around the house for the time being.

Shaving the cork is time consuming, I've been using an exacto knife, but I've enjoyed it.

[Jack Jones]

To keep the wine fresh, and stop it from spilling.......

I couldn't resist.

[RSBreth]

I use either deer hair or foam these days - no more balsa or cork. Foam is just much easier to work with, and come in all kinds of colors.

[Danoinark]

Another idea is to use the dremel as a lathe as suggested, then use emery boards to sand and shape the cork.