Truly Foamtastic….

By Shawn F. Britton

    "Honey, have you seen my craft supplies and cross-stitch bag?" my wife asks as she reaches the top of the stairwell. I know that I am busted. I hesitate for a moment then give in. "Yes dear, your stuff is in here with me, I'm tying flies." All I have to say is thank God for an understanding wife. Over the years I've just about exhausted most foreign and domestic fur and feathers sold for the sole purpose of fly tying. Foam has replaced some of the natural materials that I tied with in the past. The change was made because foam is very tier friendly, fun to tie with and it floats when other materials soak up water and disappear beneath the surface. There are many sizes, shapes and colors suited for anything the fly tier might dream up. It offers endless possibilities when tying many very productive trout patterns.

    During this past season I found two very fishable stretches of fast water, runs that were best fished with my new foam creations. At the first location the water is fast and darn near impossible to fish. From the bank the run looks great, but soon after the fly hits the water you need a Doctorate’s degree in line mending and a pound of frog's fanny for your fly to stay afloat during the entire ride. If the offering is still floating as it enters the eddy, several big trout are willing to take almost anything that is dropped off by the class 5 rapids. The other spot I found is a long fast run. At the tail end of the run the water fans out into a deep black swirling pool under the cover of large pine tree, where the trout are often feeding. Just before the fly reaches the trout it suddenly enters the river's "Bermuda Triangle" never to be seen again. There is just enough current to pull the fly down into some unknown structure that has it's very own collection of flies

    These fishing scenarios and conditions are nothing new and can be found anywhere there is flowing water. When fishing top water the longer your fly stays afloat the better your chances are that it will be eaten. Unless there is some sort of hatch going on, I usually fish ants, beetles, and hoppers or drift a new creation along on the surface. Incorporating foam into my fast water imitations has ensured me that my fast water flies will remain afloat when the more traditional patterns are drowned. I also enjoy the way a trout explode under a foam caddis or come across the water to inhale a stone fly dry. Foam flies float when other flies will not stay on top. So tie up a few of your favorite patterns with a little foam added and fish them on your favorite stretch of fast water. I am sure you will be pleased. High floating flies and longer drifts, takes more fish.

Tightlines’ Shawn