Len Schattler's "Gaudy Gurgler"

Tying Directions:

1. Begin thread behind the hook eye, and wind to midway between hook point and bend.
2. Tie in a sparse bunch of marabou about as long as the hook, followed by 6-8 strands of Flashabou right on top of the marabou, and extending slightly past the end of it.
3. Tie in a 2nd bunch of marabou on top of these. Note: a small bunch of marabou in a contrasting color may be tied into the center of the tail if desired.
4. Cut a strip of foam approximately ½ in wide.
5. Lay down a bead of super glue along the top of the hook from the marabou tie-down point, to about 1/8 in behind the hook eye, and immediately place the foam strip on top with the end towards the eye, and approximately 1/8 in behind it. Hold in place for 30 sec or until bonded to the hook. Note: at this point, the long end of the foam should be extending past the tail, and the bobbin should be suspended beneath the tail tie-in point. Note #2: If using Loco Foam, which has ONE shiny side to it, it’s important that you lay the foam strip with the shiny-side DOWN when gluing it to the hook.
6. Now pinch the foam around the sides of the hook, and take several wraps of thread around it at the tail tie-in point. DO NOT WRAP SO TIGHTLY THAT THE THREAD CUTS THROUGH THE FOAM! I’ve found that Danville flatwaxed (or any flat thread for that matter) works better, and is less likely to cut the foam. Note: The longest piece of foam will still be extending past the end of the hook.
7. Now tie in a webby saddle hackle by the butt end, and on top of the previous wraps around the foam.
8. Again, pinch the foam around the sides of the hook, and spiral-wrap the thread forward creating about 5 body segments as you go. At the end near the hook eye, wrap the extreme tip of the foam securely using several wraps, and forming a mini-head. The thread should still be about 1/8 in behind the eye.
9. Palmer the hackle forward, following the grooves made in the foam by the thread, and secure it at the point of the mini-head.
10. Trim the hackle flat along the top of the hook.
11. Make a weedguard using a 1 in piece of mono, and bending to form a ‘V’, and superglue this on top of the foam so the legs extend downward, and slightly forward of the hook point.
12. Fold the foam strip that extends behind the hook, forward, and pull two strands of the Flashabou forward on top of it. While holding these just behind the hook eye, make several wraps of thread around the foam. The Flashabou will help prevent the thread from cutting the foam, and serve as an additional flashpoint along the back of the bug. Trim the foam about 3/8 in. in front of the thread wraps in a slightly curved manner. This will form a hood in front of the hook eye.
13. Bend the hood back, and build upon the mini-head formed earlier with additional wraps. This will help hold the hood upright and in a forward slanted direction, and will give the fly it’s spitting, gurgling action when stripped in.
14. Glue eyes on top of hood with Superglue.
15. Whip finish, remove fly from vise, and add head cement to thread wraps.

Notes:

This is a variation of the Gartside Gurgler, originated by fly tying legend, Jack Gartside. It is tied, basically, the same as the original, but employs several materials to add additional flash and ‘character’ to the fly. The Gurglers are topwater flies which feature an upturned lip, which when stripped, spit water and gurgle similar to a concave-nosed popper. 

Note on Loco Foam:

I purchased this shiny-sided (1) foam from Blane Chocklett and Harrison Steeves III at the Charlotte Fly Fishing Show, and am currently trying to find out an address that it can be ordered from, or who the manufacturer is. If you’re interested in buying some, email me at [email protected], and I’ll forward any info that I’m able to find on where to get it.

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