This past weekend at the Holt, MI Fly Tying Expo I watched Oscar Feliu tye a beautiful Hex Dun. He used a strip of 3mm open cell foam to form the segmented body and 30 second Sally Hanson’s. Does anyone know where to find the foam and the SH:confused: :sad:
Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both carry it. Michael’s around central Ky only has black and white, where Hobby Lobby has more colors. Sally Hanson’s- Just look at finger nail polish in WallyWorld. Randall
Jack have you checked out the craft foam at WalMart? They generally have a pretty good collection, although Hobby Lobby usually has more of a choice.
I’ll make a run up to Murfreesboro and visit Hobby Lobby, our Wally World’s craft section is about the size of a medium size fridge!!
I’ll look there for the 30 second SH.
Thanks guys
open cell is different than closed cell foam, the craft stores carry closed cell foam. make sure you get the right kind. open cell will take on water where as closed cell floats…
Around here, the JoAnn’s fabric stores have a good selection of foam that works well for fly tying.
Remember Hobby Lobby is closed on Sunday, don’t want tyou to waste a trip.
I was going to reply sooner but was not, actually I’m still not, sure about the difference between ‘open cell’ and ‘closed cell’ foams. Jack, you were the original poster and identified the fly and pattern saying it was tyed with ‘open cell’ foam. Almost every response cited the craft stores as sources for the material. I’m not sure that Michael’s, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, WalMart, etc. carry ‘open foam’ in the craft dept. I’ve always thought what they carry is closed cell stuff. So I guess my question to you is: 'Are you certain that the material used on that fly was ‘open cell’ foam?
Secondarily, what are the characteristics of open cell foam? Can it be handled and cut to shape the same as closed cell? Is ‘open cell’ as bouyant or moreso? Durability? Know of any other good bad things about ‘open cell foam’ insofar as its use in fly tying?
Allan
I agree with Allan. The craft stores sell closed cell foam.
My other question is if it is open cell foam, why coat it with Sally Hansen? Would that not coat and seal the pores and change the foam to a “closed cell”?
I don’t understand the reasoning of using an open cell and then coating it with an impermiable membrane. I think the information does not make any sense. It is either wrong or incomplete.
I have seen hex patterns tied with an extended furled body of closed cell foam. Perhaps that is the fly.
Kind of like this but with furled foam:
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/mscms/fishing-articles/foam-extended-body-hex-fly-pattern/
Rainy’s has open foam in 3mm sheets. open cell foam is 1/4 the weight of closed cell. it is also softer making the segmentation more defined. The pattern has enough flotation built into it to handle the open cell foam (Any of you familiar with Oscar’s tying you know that he uses liberal amounts of flotant on his dubbing)
The 30 second SH is used only on the back of the body, not to coat the body (A touch that is only for the fisherman!)
I have asked for materials for a Specific Fly not patterns for something else!
Cheapest source for open cell foam – pipe insulation, but only comes in dark grey.
That 3/16" ( .18 inches ) stuff at Cabellas is about half again as thick as the 3mm ( .12 inches ) stuff Jack is looking for.
Gosh, Brad, he wants a Specific Size, not something else. 
Aw Shucks John, You know what I mean!!
The fly is tied on a Daiichi 1770 3X long 1Xfine Swimming Nymph hook size 6 (or smaller)
Jack,
I hope you find the stuff. Love to see one of those tied up; that’s a cool looking fly.
Regards,
Scott
Just teasing, Jack. 
I found one pic of the fly, but it was too small to really see the fly and how it is tied. If you have or can find a larger size pic, please post it.
John
Always figured he knew how to use a razor blade…there I go, making assumptions again. orry I brought it up…
Brad
Brad -
When I think about slicing that thicker open cell foam sheet down to a thinner size, I envision great blood loss. Wouldn’t wish that on Jack for nuttin, but then again maybe it wouldn’t happen to him.
Just thought I’d mention it because I fell into that 3/16" vs 3mm thing myself once and had to go back to the shop to get sqared away.
John
Brad, the only foam that I know of that was open cell and designed for wet flies was Larva Lace, and the supply is down to only black and white, I think. Bearlodge Angler advertises it, and I think you could ask Rainy about the evazote, but I have some of it and it doesn’t seem like the kind of stuff that would absorb water.