Working With Foam

[On The Fly 6]

So, I've recently decided that it was time for me to stop buying all my dry flies and start making them on my own. I've been tying all my own nymphs and midges for about 3 years and I've always felt confident picking up a fly, looking it over, and feeling that I could tie it. Dry flies were another story. I've just simply been afraid of tying them...especially the itty bitty guys that most streams around here require! I also started tying with foam and this is my first Chernobyl Ant. It seems to have turned out OK, but the true test will come when it hits the water. Any advice on what dries I could focus on? I've tied up some BWO and Elk Hairs in size 18 and 20, but I haven't gone any smaller yet. I figure I'll need some smaller hooks as well. Thanks for looking!

[sean c]

Nice fly. Its rare that you will ever have to go smaller than 20 I can't remember the last time I fished anything smaller than an 18 on top. Griffiths gnat is a must have and easy tie next would be a stimulator, elk hair caddis and parachutes in a variety of colors. The parachute was the toughest for me I finish the fly on the post I think it makes a much cleaner fly and proportions are pretty important on them. Besides that learn to stack and tie in elk hair and there isn't anything difficult about any of the flies listed. Good luck.

[BackCastingGolfer]

I would say the only flies you would want to tie smaller than a 20 would be midges or black gnats. I also struggle with tying small dries. I think it's just because I don't do it that often. I used to complain about my fly tying skills overall, and know feel like I am quite good (except little dries), only thing that makes you better is to do it alot.

[Jason R.]

On your foam flies, use some glue- superglue works well. This makes them more durable and keeps the body from spinning- which is annoying and hard to avoid without either cutting the foam with the thread or using glue. I pretty much only tie foam dries- I mean, what is better than foam for a dry fly? It floats with no floatant, its cheap, it looks good. Foam caddis, foam hoppers, foam stoneflies, midges with foam wing cases etc.