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Foam and rubber materials for fly tying

When fly tying, rubber and foam can be a great addition to any fly pattern helping to add more movement or to create a more buoyant fly. Rubber legs can be a great way to add movement and action to your fly patterns and using them in tails and wings can create vibrations which can be picked up by a fishes lateral line drawing more fish into your fly patterns. Rubber materials can also be used to form a body, by wrapping them around the hook, creating some very realistic looking flies. With various foam products available such as foam sheets, for tying small dry fly patterns, to high density foam tubes for creating detached bodies and booby eyes. We stock a wide range of rubber and foam fly tying materials from some of the top fly tying brands.
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19 Items

Veniard Pre-Formed Booby Eyes - Fly Tying Materials
Veniard Pre-Formed Booby Eyes
from £3.50
Fulling Mill Flex Floss - Angling Active
Fulling Mill Flex Floss
from £3.95
Hareline Dubbin Chicone's Crusher Legs - Fly Tying Materials
Hareline Dubbin Chicone's Crusher Legs
from £4.99
Veniard Micro Rubber Legs
Veniard Micro Rubber Legs
from £3.50
Plastic Wasp Grubs
Veniard Plastic Wasp Grubs
£3.50
Natural Latex Rubber Sheet - Fly Tying Material
Veniard Natural Latex Sheet
£2.50
Veniard Centipede Legs
Veniard Centipede Legs
from £5.99
Veniard Sili Legs - Silicone Rubber Fly Tying Legs
Veniard Sili Legs
from £5.25
Veniard Jelly Nymphs - Fly Tying
Veniard Jelly Nymphs
from £3.25
Veniard Closed Cell Foam Sheet - Fly Tying Materials
Veniard Closed Cell Foam Sheet
from £2.15
Hareline Senyos Fusion Foil Legs - Silicone Rubber Fly Tying Materials
Hareline Senyos Fusion Foil Legs
from £4.99
Surface Seducer Howitzer Baitfish Popper Heads - Fly Tying Materials
Surface Seducer Howitzer Baitfish Popper Heads
from £8.99 RRP £9.50
Hareline Furry Foam - Fly Tying Materials
Hareline Furry Foam
from £2.50 RRP £2.75
Hareline Hot Tip Crazy Legs - Silicone Rubber Fly Tying Legs
Hareline Hot Tip Crazy Legs
from £4.99
Micro-Cellular Plastazote Foam Block - Orange
Veniard Micro-Cellular Plastazote Foam
from £2.99
Hareline Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs Medium - Intruder Fly Tying
Hareline Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs Medium
from £9.99 RRP £10.99
Veniard Sili Legs Chrome - Silicone Rubber Fly Tying Legs
Veniard Sili Legs Chrome
from £4.97 RRP £5.50
Veniard Foam Cylinders - Fly Tying Materials
Veniard Foam Cylinders
from £3.65
Hareline Perfect Rubber Silicone Legs - Fly Tying Materials
Hareline Perfect Rubber Silicone Legs
from £6.25 RRP £6.50

All you need to know about foam and rubber materials for fly tying


When tying flies, particularly those that need to float or exhibit a level of buoyancy, foam and rubber materials can be instrumental. These materials add a distinctive appearance and functionality to the flies, ensuring they perform optimally under various angling conditions.


What are foam and rubber materials used for in fly tying?

Foam and rubber materials serve multiple purposes in fly tying, such as:

  • Buoyancy: Ensuring the fly floats and stays atop the water, which is pivotal for dry flies, buoyant lures such as foam arsed blobs and terrestrials.
  • Body Formation: Helping to create the bodies of certain fly patterns, adding shape and volume.
  • Legs and Antennae: Rubber materials can mimic the legs and antennae of various insect species.
  • Visibility: Bright or contrasting foam can aid visibility on the water, making it easier for anglers to detect strikes.

Notable Foam and Rubber Materials:

Various foam and rubber materials are favoured by fly tyers for different patterns and purposes:

  • Closed-Cell Foam: Available in sheets or cylinders, this foam is utilised for its buoyancy and ease of shaping.
  • EVA Foam: Known for its durability and resilience, often used in poppers, booby eyes and foam-head-type flies.
  • Razor Foam: Thin, pliable foam that is suitable for creating slim, segmented bodies on terrestrial and aquatic insect imitations.
  • Sili Legs: Coloured, patterned rubber legs that add movement and visual appeal to a range of patterns.
  • Stretch Flex: A stretchy, semi-transparent material that’s versatile and often used for bodies, ribbing and wing casings.
  • Booby Eyes: Cylindrical foam used to create the eyes on booby flies, providing both a visual target and buoyancy.

Choosing Suitable Foam and Rubber:

When selecting foam and rubber materials, consider the following:

  • Fly Type: Ensure the materials are apt for the specific type of fly you intend to tie (e.g., terrestrial, dry fly, nymph, etc.)
  • Durability: Opt for materials that can endure the rigours of fishing and resist damage from fish teeth and general wear.
  • Colour and Texture: Choose colours and textures that are consistent with the natural insects or creatures you’re aiming to imitate.
  • Buoyancy: Ensure the material has the appropriate buoyancy for the intended application.

Effective Usage of Foam and Rubber:

To effectively use foam and rubber materials in fly tying:

  • Ensure materials are attached securely to prevent them from loosening during fishing.
  • When shaping foam, use sharp, clean-cutting tools to ensure precise and clean cuts.
  • Consider the natural proportions and profiles of the insects or prey items you are mimicking when applying these materials.

In conclusion, foam and rubber materials add indispensable properties to various fly patterns, contributing buoyancy, shape, movement, and visual appeal. Through thoughtful selection and application of these materials, fly tyers can enhance the effectiveness of their creations, producing patterns that not only mimic natural prey items closely but also perform reliably under varied angling conditions.