Fly Tying

Gurgler
by Jack Miller

HOOK : Mustad 3356 Size 6

THREAD : Black flat waxed nylon or other strong thread

TAIL: Marabou

BODY : Black Pearl Chenille

OVERBODY: Black 2mm foam

Start thread at the front of the hook and wrap back to the bend of the hook. Using the hook shank as a guide, tie in the marabou tail at a length of about 2 hook lengths. Secure the tail and trim the excess.

Next, cut a piece of the foam about as wide as the gap of your hook and 2-3 inches long. With your thread at the point you tied in the marabou, pinch the foam around the hook shank with the leading edge just behind the eye of the hook. In other words, you will have a foam "tail" behind the hook. While pinching the foam around the hook, start wrapping your thread from the rear of the hook to the front of the hook, tying the foam down. Once you get to the front of the hook, wrap back to the rear starting point, securing the foam to the hook.

At the rear, tie in your pearl chenille and then wrap your thread back to the front of the hook. Wrap the chenille around the hook to form the body, and when you get about 1/8" back from the front of the hook, tie in the chenille and trim.

Leave your thread at this tie in point, and now fold the foam over the top of the chenille body. At this point your thread should be about 1/8" behind the eye of the hook. Tie in the foam securely with 5-6 wraps. Be careful not to pull too hard on the first few wraps or you may cut your foam. After securing the foam, advance the thread in front of the foam and build up a head on the hook. Whip finish the head.

Last trim your foam about 1/8" in front of the eye of the hook to form the gurgle lip.

This fly can be tied using many different color combinations and is an excellent bluegill fly.