Surface fly / Pattern notes

Gartside Gurgler

A foam lip makes a waking or splashing surface fly with a light baitfish tail.

From hook to fly

At the vise.

4 steps

Follow this base recipe in order. The materials list specifies one hook size; adjust proportions together when tying another size.

Tail
Lay thread along the shank. Attach sparse bucktail and flash at the bend, about two shanks long.
Foam and body
Tie in a foam strip extending rearward, then chenille. Wind chenille forward and secure.
Fold the back
Bring foam over the top and bind near the eye, leaving a short forward-projecting lip.
Finish
Whip finish beneath the lip and cement. Trim the lip square; test its wake and shorten if needed.

Beyond the bench

Pull gently for a surface wake or strip harder for bubbles. Scale down for sunfish.

Tied by independent makers

No tyers have listed this pattern yet. Request a custom version, or add your own fly to the library.

Original written instructions adapted from the sources below. Materials and methods may vary between versions.