Hookup Gurgler Fly Tying Tutorial

Tossing topwater gurglers is one of the most fun ways to catch redfish, but trying to navigate grass mats and other obstacles can be a pain with a typical gurgler where the hook point is underwater and easily snags all the seagrass. After much trial and error, I have figured out how to keep a shrimp gurgler hook point up while still being light and easy to cast. I’ve created a custom die to punch out the foam bodies so that each fly is exactly the same. I coat each foam body with an EVA foam gap filling primer, then I airbrush the bodies, and finally they get coated in e6000 after tying the fly. The antennae are threaded through the foam body and out the nose of the fly just like a real shrimp. I use e6000 glue on every step to glue the foam body to the hook shank and the body material overlaps the foam in several places, making the fly durable and effective. Is it overkill for a foam gurgler? Sure. But is it also unique, realistic-looking and fun to fish? I definitely think so! Short strips will get the fly popping on the surface, it likes to cut sideways and even walk the dog due to the flat popping face of the tail, so there are all sorts of different actions you can get out of the fly.

You can buy the foam bodies on my website and I've tried to list links to all the other materials.


Foam Body: FishChaseFlies' 5mm Hook Up Gurgler foam cutouts
https://fishchaseflies.com/product/ho...

Eyes: 4mm half-round black plastic eyes for the 2/0, 5mm for the 4/0
https://a.co/d/dgaHNln

Hook - 2/0 and 4/0 Eagle Claw L253 (Ahrex Bob Clouser hook works also)
https://flat-wing.com/products/eagle-...

Tailing Material: MFC Lucent Wrap (or similar synthetic)
https://www.flyfusionmag.com/mfc-laun...

Throat: Coyote or Fox Tail Fur

Antennae: Black Nylon Stretch Cord, MFC Centipede Legs, rubber legs etc.
https://a.co/d/fXbcP9v

Weight: Two 3.5mm brass or stainless beads on 50lb Power Pro or wire
https://a.co/d/3Iuh435

Body Wrap: Medium Black Palmer Chenille and Chocklett's Gamechanger chenille twisted together
https://flyfishsd.com/products/wapsi-...
https://spawnflyfish.com/products/har...

Body Coating: e6000 Clear Glue
https://a.co/d/1ctAqzR