Solano Fly Fishers
 
Gurgler
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Hook:            34007 or 34011 or equivalent. Size 2/0
Thread:          3/0 White
Tail:               Sparse yellow bucktail. Overlay with a dozen strands of flash of your choice.
Body:            Yellow Fly Foam cut ½" wide.
Underbody:    Two yellow saddle hackles paired palmered forward.
Throat:           Two red saddle hackles paired and palmered last ¼ length of body.

Instructions

  1. Attach 30-40 strands of silver Flashabou at bend to form tail. Cut blunt. Approx. 1/2 to 1/3 the shank length. note: tail may also be bucktail, or hackles or combinations of each.
  2. Attach Medium Crystal Chenille at rear end of shank, over tail wrap.
  3. Wrap chenille forward, covering tail wraps. Don't crowd eye!
  4. Cut Foam: 1/2" x 2 6/8". Cut a strip 1/8" on each side, to be tapered from the point where if is attached at the rear end of the shank.
  5. Attach foam to shank at chenille tie-off point.
  6. Tie in small clump of red Flashabou.
  7. Clip thread and retie thread at rear end of shank/chenille.
  8. Pull Foam back and tie off at rear end of shank/chenille. Secure wrap, finish and clip.
  9. Tie in Red Thread. Pull foam forward and tie down in front of previous ties, just behind the eye. Make sure that both layers of foam are centered over hook shank. There should be approx. 1/4"-3/8" of foam extending over the eye. Tie down foam to hook.
  10. Tie in a small loop of 18 lb. mono, to support foam head, so that it lays on the back of the head.
  11. Option: Fill underside with Softex or Goop, for durability. Add a thin film on back of bug. Shape head round, or oval.

The orginal was designed by Jack Gartside and is a simple fly designed to imitate surface bait. It is neither a popper nor slider but a very effective in between type of fly. The Gurgler is surprisingly easy to tie and is a great fly to stock your boxes with due to the relative ease in which it is tied and it’s effectiveness. The fly can either be tied on a regular or long shank. For blue fishing a longer shank is suggested in which the fly is tied towards the eye of the hook so that the foam topping is in a more forward position to protect it from sharp teeth.