Foam flies revolutionized dry-fly angling a couple of decades ago. Flies that absolutely must float—think grasshoppers, big salmon flies and other terrestrial flies, like ants and beetles—got a big boost from the foam incursion into the fly-tying arena years ago.
While foam can be really effective to use in any number of patterns, it can also be a little tricky to work with. Above, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, offers some great tips for working with foam.
Those tips include:
- Use adhesive to bind foam to the hook and prevent it from spinning as you tie.
- Use multiple pieces of foam per fly.
- Combine foam with other materials to improve durability.
Give this short video a watch, even if you’re a foam-tying expert. There are some great tips and refreshers for every tier who pulls out sheet foam a few times a year. Enjoy.