Some Poppers

[use2wuz]

Foam flooring shaped with a Dremel - and some balsa done the same way - painted with assorted nail polish and sharpie markers feathered with alcohol Q tips - coated with UV cure epoxy - can’t wait to fling a few

 

[use2wuz]

Foam flooring shaped with a Dremel - and some balsa done the same way - painted with assorted nail polish and sharpie markers feathered with alcohol Q tips - coated with UV cure epoxy - can’t wait to fling a few

Don’t know how the Sculpin pattern got in there - blame the smart phone I guess 😬

 

[bigjohn358]

I got a bunch of popper heads to tie some but I just haven't gotten around to it. Did you airbrush them?

 

[use2wuz]

I got a bunch of popper heads to tie some but I just haven't gotten around to it. Did you airbrush them?

No - I use sharpie markers - I use a Qtip and alcohol to feather the edges to make it look like airbrushing. Air brushes are a pain to clean (and to mix the paint) the fish don’t care

 

[use2wuz]

Pearl clear coat nail polish

 

[JerryC]

Nice poppers. I've never used balsa. I've used foam cylinders to shape poppers, but I pretty much stick with the soft foam popper bodies. I also make a couple of poppers out of 2 or 3 mm craft foam. I do cut and shape the soft foam poppers. I'm getting ready to turn a half dozen into Sneaky Pete style sliders.
I use various permanent markers to color them. It's easy with the soft foam bodies, and you can get blender markers, that will allow you to get the "air brushed" look.
When I started making poppers, I used 5 minute epoxy, but with soft foam bodies if you squeeze them the epoxy cracks. I moved on to Flex-Coat and similar liquids. Now I use the flex UV resin.

 

[barrybarry]

Try them in the water with your fly line attached. A glass of water doesn't work. I've had some problems with them spinning sideways. It's an easy fix. Add a strand or two of legs to the back of the hook to stabilize them

 

[Tigereye]

You have more patience than I. They look awesome. SALUTE!!!!!

Here's a video of Charlie Craven and a diy airbrush technique. May be of use to you sorry souls that tie poppers ;>)

I always check to see if a video of his is available if I'm tying a fly for the first time. He is a treasure trove of neat tying tricks. I came across this awhile back when I attempted poppers. Don't fish so much for WW species that I bother tying poppers much. I have a bunch of ' em unused in years.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

Foam flooring shaped with a Dremel - and some balsa done the same way - painted with assorted nail polish and sharpie markers feathered with alcohol Q tips - coated with UV cure epoxy - can’t wait to fling a few

I don't mind the sculpin pic...it looks like a winner 💪