Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

What type of cutters do you guys use to cut out foam bodies for flies? And also, I'm running low on some thread. What is a good recomended thread size?

Views: 341

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

For my foam hoppers, I just cut strips of foam from a foam sheet with a hobby knife (plastic model section of a hobby store), and a ruler to act as a straight-edge.  I use a pair of scissors to trim the blunt end when I start the fly.

I haven't tried anything more complex with foam, but I'll probably just use a pair of scissors.

Thread size is really dependent on the size fly you're tying.  I've heard that when you're tying flies, more wraps with a finer thread will result in a stronger fly.  I'm not sure if it's true or not.

For most of my flies, I use either a size 6/0, or a 70-denier size thread.  I've found those to be somewhat similar in size.  I do have some 140-denier thread, that I use when I'm dubbing with a split-thread method.  I've got some 8/0 thread, that I use when I'm going really small, like down to a size 20.

I use a paper cutter when I cut strips and use the scissors from there.

I use a paper cutter to cut strips of craft foam. I also use cylinders of various sizes to cut disks to use for poppers. I glue the disks together with CA glue. ......I use mostly 6/0 uni or 70 denier of other brands. I also use some 8/0 for small flies and 3/0 or 210 for flies with a little deer hair such as a Muddler. When I tie full on hair bugs I will sometimes use GPS instead of the 3/0 or 210.

I bought a paper cutter, you know, the one armed cutter. I bought it at wally world. It was only a few $$, and now all my strips for certain size flies are the same. The cutter works good on 0.5, 1, and 2 mm foam. It starts to roll the 3mm and you don't end up with a square cut. The good thing is that the fish don't seem to mind. Thread, I bought a bunch of Danville 70 denier and am using it up. I think the Uni 6/0 (70) is a better, stronger, more durable thread. I am slowly buying the Uni as I need it. Foam cutters: River Road Creation Cutters makes some really cool cutter. If you fish with hoppers, you can buy a set of cutters in what ever size you want, to make the entire hopper. You get 4 different cutters for the body parts and legs. Very Cool. They also have online instructions. The only problem is the set cost $ 45.00.

Check them out at http://www.riverroadcreations.com

The folks at river road creation make great cutters. I have about 5 cutters for various types of flies, they work great and last a long time.

All I use and ever needed was a self healing cutting board and one of those cutters that looks like a pizza cutter. A razor blade and straight edge work just fine, too.

I cut sheet foam with a large pair of scissors, sometimes not so large.  I cutter cylinders with tubes salvaged from wrecked automatic umbrella shafts and other tubes, most 3/8" or smaller although I have one made from 1/2" EMT.  I use emery boards to shape the bodies for poppers and sliders on a very small wood screw in a battery powered rotary tool.  A chuck with variable sized opening is a real plus.

RSS

Latest Activity

Troy Dorman commented on John Sheehan's photo
2 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Lower numbers of Perch this Year

"This guy gave in and didn't raise his Dorsal tall for the photo!"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Me too, little fightin' sports!"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"It was great! Thanks, Jeff!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"Love the cast iron prep…..brings out my southern roots….looks great!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Love them seeds…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"Yes Bruce…..the tourney folks caught the bass during their spawn….now the bluegill…"
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"It seems you've been running into bass lately. After watching that bass tournament it…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Gravid Shellcracker…..5/6/2025

She was around an old prehistoric cypress stump….
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Fishing was tougher behind last nights frontal boundary….surface temperatures at 76 degrees today…25 total fish…"
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beast of a Coppernose…..5/3/2025

"Thanks Troy…..these are my addictive dynamics…."
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Weekend Winners on the Estuary….5/5/2025

"Thanks Troy….we’re taking off with the full moon next Monday…"
Tuesday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service