How to Tie a Gartside Gurgler

The Gartside Gurgler is a fly invented by Jack Gartside, a professional tyer and angler for 50 years. He wrote several books on fishing, and was inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in 2010. The Gartside Gurgler is typically used for fresh or salt water, and is tied in large or small sizes. The gurgler comes in whatever color you choose, depending on what you find most visible in the waters you fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Hook
  • Thread
  • Closed cell foam
  • Plumes and Glimmer or Flash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie thread behind the hook eye. Tie in a tail of plumes or bucktail in the middle of the shank about 1 1/2 times as long as the shank.

    • 2

      Tie a few strands of glimmer at the base of the tail. Tie them in the middle of the strands, half in front and half behind.

    • 3

      Cut one piece of foam, about four inches long, and lay it on the shank. Tie it about 1/3 of the way from the top of the foam right in front of the eye.

    • 4

      Wrap the thread around the top third of foam to make five sections. Tighten the thread to the rear of the foam.

    • 5

      Tie in a plume from the bottom of the segments up to the eye. Cut any excess plume.

    • 6

      Fold the bottom 2/3 foam up toward the eye and tie behind the eye. Tie some glimmer where you tied down the foam. Whip finish the head and trim to the length you wish.