Large surface flies are aliens. The material needed to suspend flies on the surface gives them an odd appearance. Fall in Florida is a great time to cover water using these larger surface baits. Big fish are transitioning to their winter homes and fattening themselves up along the way. Gurglers can be too subtle in the fall, but there is value in their versatility. Poppers are loud and draw attention, but lack the versatility of a gurgler.
Marrying the best qualities of both flies would be helpful, so I tied my interpretation of what that would look like. The result is a fly that is more Leah than Rachel in appearance (Biblical reference). It’s been water tested. It casts with ease. Its performance and appearance in the water are excellent. Fish will eat this fly. Fast short strips and it’s a loud chugging popper. Using slow long strips makes the fly gurgle and slide slightly subsurface where it waggles erratically and sheds bubbles everywhere. When paused or stopped, the palmered marabou keeps the fly alive. Very fishy.
The materials list and tying instructions/reminders are for me to reference when I need to refill my box next fall. If you find it useful, then fantastic. I’ll post a tying video after something big eats it. If you’re interested, help yourself to the information below.
Materials:
– Gamakatsu SC15 3/0
– Sheet Foam 3/16″ top (White)
– Sheet Foam 1/8″ bottom (White)
– Hareline Saltwater Neck Hackle (White)
– Hareline Strung Marabou Blood Quills (White)
– Krystal Flash (Pearl)
– Hareline Adhesive Holographic Eyes 7/32″ (Super Pearl)
Basic Instructions:
1) Thread wrap should stop 3/8″ short of the eye of the hook
2) Build a narrow foam ramp on the top of the hook. The ramp should end with a small ball of foam 3/8″ short of the hook eye that is about twice as high as the rest of the ramp.
3) Tie back down to the hook bend and tie in 3 neck hackles (splayed) on both sides of the hook (6 total)
4) Tie in 6-8 pieces of krystal flash so they ride between the splayed feathers.
5) Palmer 2-3 pieces of marabou up to the point of the hook.
6) Using thin sheet foam, cut a small triangle and tie it in to form the bottom half of the popper.
7) Using the thicker foam cut a triangle that is mostly narrow before widening out at the top. Tie this in being careful where you place your wraps. Whip finish it.
8) Add eyes using E6000 as the adhesive
9) Hit the wraps with superglue and loon flow epoxy wherever there is room.
Tags: Gurgler Fly Popper Fly Popper Gurgler Fly Sarasota Flats fishing
fly tying Saltwater Fly Fishing Fly fishing Sarasota Seatrout redfish
