[Gurgler]

Pattern Illustration
Gurgler
Tied by Steve Hudson

Hook: Long hook, #12 - 4/0
Thread: "A" size rod thread or 3/0 to match body
Tail: Flashabou, Krystal Flash, Marabou, Fishair, etc.
Underbody: Closed cell foam
Hackle: To match/contrast body Body: Closed cell foam



Tying Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of foam 3" x �", poke a hole in the center.

2. Secure thread to hook, wrap to rear.

3. Tie in tail material, approximately 1.5 - 2x shank length.

4. Slide foam over the eye of the hook threading it on the hole poked in the foam. Tie off at bend with multiple wraps (the larger thread helps prevent the foam from being cut).

5. Tie in soft, webby, hackle.

6. Fold half of foam along bottom if hook shank, bind down with spiraling wraps, leaving a "lip" extending past the eye of the hook

7. Palmer hackle forward, tracking the "channels" created by the tying thread, and tie off.

8. Pull foam forward shellback style, bind down at head. Move thread in front of "lips" and build up wraps to force them apart.

9. Whip finish thread, trim "lips" as desired. I like the lower lip to be slightly smaller than the upper.



Notes:

I first encountered the basic design of this fly while learning about snook fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, where the Gurgler (tied with a white body and a chartreuse tail) was said to be the snook pattern to beat all snook patterns. It cast well and floated well, and it was easy to tie too - a great combo of attributes!

Later, I found it works well for bass too, especially if tied "green" as here. Smaller versions work for bream, and little tiny ones will even take trout during beetle season.

Fish either very slowly or fairly fast. Strikes are explosive, so hang on!




Steve Hudson
Alpharetta, Georgia USA

Email: [email protected]
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1