Gurgler

Materials

How to Tie the Gurgler

1. 1

   Step 1

   Attach thread behind the hook eye and wind back about halfway along the shank.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Tie in a sparse bunch of bucktail or a marabou plume at mid-shank for the tail, about 1.5 times the shank length. Leave the rear half of the hook shank bare.

   Keep the tail sparse for better action. The rear half of the shank should remain bare for the fly to ride properly.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in 5-6 strands of Krystal Flash at the base of the tail. Fold the front half back over the tail and secure.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Cut a 4-5 inch foam strip about 3/4 inch wide. Tie in the front end just short of the eye, with 2-3 inches trailing behind the shank.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Create five evenly spaced segments by wrapping thread between them, cupping the foam around the shank. Wind thread forward tightening as you go.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Tie in a saddle hackle at the rear segment (strip one side). Palmer the hackle forward between the segments, tying off behind the eye.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Pull the foam shellback forward over the top of the body and tie down snugly just behind the eye. Trim so about 1/2 inch protrudes forward as a 'lip'.

   The protruding foam lip is what creates the distinctive gurgling wake on the surface. Don't trim it too short.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Fold the flash over the shellback and secure at the tie-down point. Whip finish, trim, and apply head cement.