Hi,
I would like to tir some of these up for panfish, bass and some toothy critters. I just need direction on the size of the foam for the different size hooks. My guess is you don’t use the 1/4 for size 8 hooks. What is the smallest size hook for 1/4 inch and 3/16 inch?
Try these links 
.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw/051799fotw.html:bd535]Gartside Gurgler[/url:bd535]
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/121503fotw.html:bd535]Gurgle-Pop[/url:bd535]
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
I have used 1/4" strips with 8 and 10 hooks to good result. My best suggestion is to tie a few up and find someone willing to test fish them. That failing then get out there and do the test fishing yourself
RRhyne56
[url=http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com:bd535]Sweetness On The Water[/url:bd535]
[url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/bgl/:bd535]Good Ol? Lepomis Macrochirus[/url:bd535]
I’m sure that there is more than one correct answer to your question. I agree - tie some up in different sizes and let the fish decide which is the correct size. Be sure to tie them in different colors. I have found that switching colors works wonders sometimes, especially having caught some fish with the color you are using. I’ve had a lot of fun with that fly.
I wouldn’t use the 1/4 inch stuff for anything smaller than 1/0 hooks. For size 8 hook just go w/ the standard craft store 2 mm stuff. You can always double for larger hooks.
Ron M
I think there is some confusion. The 1/4" and 3/16" refer to the width of the strip. The foam used is 2mm thick foam.
[This message has been edited by ridgeliner (edited 24 June 2006).]
In the Feathercraft catalog it comes in 3 sizes 1/4, 3/16 and one size smaller. That’s all different width’s
Those are the 3 different thicknesses that they sell. You can cut them to any width that you want. For panfish gurglers I use the smallest thixkness that they sell. I think that it is 1/8". Cut the strips to a width approx = to the hook gape.
Even though it’s more expensive, I prefer this foam to the craft foam that they sell at the craft stores. I think it has a better “hand”. It’s a little bit thicker and a lot stiffer which is important when you want to have a nice stiff lip to push the water.
I tie a lot of different types of flies with this type of foam, I’ve tried the other and it just doesn’t work as well.
Kevin
jkilroy, we are talking about thickness here, not width, right? You are looking at Rainy’s Evazote sheet foam in the Feather-Craft catalog in 1/4, 3/16 & 1/8 inch thickness, is that correct? To answer your original question again, I would go w/ 1/0 or larger for the 1/4" foam. I would use the 3/16" foam for sizes 4-1/0 and the 1/8 inch foam for anything smaller. Although if you go much below size 8 the 2mm craft store foam would serve you better as it is thinner than 1/8". As I stated before you can double up the thin foam to accomodate larger hook sizes, so generally the thinner foam is more versatile.
Ron M