Semperfli pre-cut foam fly-tying bodies

If you use foam, particularly for the bodies of dry daddy and damsel patterns or the backs of floating beetles, you will know how difficult it is to cut foam into a consistent width or taper. No two bodies ever turn out the same. That’s why Semperfli has created a complete range of pre-cut foam fly-tying bodies. These bodies eliminate waste, save time and ensure anatomical accuracy. The damsel foam bodies, for example, feature a segmented abdomen and anal appendages for added realism.

All you need to do is tie the foam shape on to the hook using its special tag, then add your body material, tails, hackle and legs where required. It couldn’t be easier.

Why use pre-cut foam fly tying bodies?

The answer is consistency and performance. Most bodies are cut from 3.5mm high-floating, nitrogen-filled foam sheets, perfect for dry-fly use. No more guessing, slicing or tweaking – just tie and fish.

Daddy, damsel, mayfly and beetle options

Daddy-long-legs bodies (13 per sheet) come in 30mm or 40mm lengths and ten colours: grey, black, tan, orange, red, white, yellow, sunburst yellow, and dark/light green. Use them in patterns like the Foam Daddy.

Damsel bodies (10 per sheet) are available in 40mm or 50mm lengths in black, blue, chartreuse, pale grey, purple, red, tan, yellow and sunburst yellow.

Mayfly bodies (6–12 per sheet) come in 15mm to 40mm lengths, ideal for matching various species found globally. Each includes three holes to split tail fibres and centre the body on the hook. Watch Phillippa Hake’s tutorial for tying tips.

Beetle bodies are available in 12mm, 17mm, 25mm, and 33mm (4–21 per sheet) in black only. For the duo or dry-dropper method, the 17mm Bung Beetle bodies are made from 4.5mm foam for extra buoyancy. Available in chartreuse, orange, pink, red, white, yellow and sunburst yellow.

Foam combs: versatile tying materials

The Semperfli Foam Combs are 3mm-thick foam sheets, precision-cut into strips of 2mm, 3mm or 5mm widths. They’re great for Sugarcube and suspender-style dry-flies, foam backs, para-posts, or even splitting hackles on large spent patterns. Use them as thorax covers or even indicator posts.

Available colours include black, damsel blue, dark grey, dun, rhyacophila green, orange, pale grey, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and sunburst yellow.

The verdict

This Semperfli range of pre-cut foam fly-tying bodies is excellent. Whether you’re tying daddies, beetles, damsels or mayflies, these products will save you hours of frustration, reduce waste, and help you tie cleaner, more effective flies.

Foam bodies and combs: £4 each
Website: semperfli.net
Also available from leading fly-tying stockists