Question about Booby Cord

D

Draketake

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Hey all,

I know I will sound like a grump but daggum, Booby Cord Foam, is kind of expensive. I found a work around, for the tail section, when tying FABS. I tie on a rectangular section, of 3mm - 5 mm, flat foam and then cut a slit, into the middle of the foam. Works perfect.

I can not find a work around for the eyes, on Boobys. Ive tried the flat foam mentioned above. Not really great. Ive tried packing peanuts. Evidently, the ones I used, biodegrade in water. Great for the environment. Not great for the Booby.

Anyone got any ideas? if not, Ill just break down and buy the premade Booby Eyes.

Thank you in advance, for any and all help.

Bob
 
Hey @Draketake I'm going to move this to the fly tying sub forum. Thats where you will find the real fly tying booby maniacs at😀
 
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I've been using a hole punch to make boobie eyes from Dollar Store flip-flops. I trim to length with scissors, then use a dremel cup to neatly round the ends. The flip-flops come in a variety of colours. A leather hole punch set is about $10 on Amazon and gives you a range of sizes.

dragonfly boobie nymph - Copy (2).jpg
boobie punch.jpg
 
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We use to use backer rod for steelhead rags.
It will absorb more water versus closed cell foam.
SF
 
Good ideas above! I bought some premade boobie eyes and haven't used them up yet. If I tied a lot of them buying premade might get expensive.
 
I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad and a small length of aluminum or brass tubing to punch and take a core from the pad. It seemed to work as well or better than the backer rod. I gave up on both and went back to the premade stuff.

BTW, the best hole punch for foam and other sheet goods is a bullet shell.
 
BriGuy said:
I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad and a small length of aluminum or brass tubing to punch and take a core from the pad. It seemed to work as well or better than the backer rod. I gave up on both and went back to the premade stuff.

BTW, the best hole punch for foam and other sheet goods is a bullet shell.
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I may be wrong, but I think the magic eraser may be open cell, which would absorb water.
 
Herkileez said:
I may be wrong, but I think the magic eraser may be open cell, which would absorb water.
Click to expand...

I gave up on the backer rod and Magic Eraser because the cut sections "became" open cell. They both seemed to work okay, but I much preferred the purpose-made stuff. Kind of odd for me since I can be a cheapskate that way.
 
the swimming pool toys that they call noodles come in a variety of colors make great eyes and bodies. One noodle will probably make more flies than you can use in a lifetime though. For those of you who dont have hole punches but are shooters, spent cartridges can be used as punches to make eyes and bodies.
 
Herkileez said:
I've been using a hole punch to make boobie eyes from Dollar Store flip-flops. I trim to length with scissors, then use a dremel cup to neatly round the ends. The flip-flops come in a variety of colours. A leather hole punch set is about $10 on Amazon and gives you a range of sizes.

View attachment 175136
View attachment 175137
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I like this idea. I used to tie Big Foam Bass Flies with old flip flops. As I also dabble in leather making, the hole punches would be dual purpose.

I am eyeing a pack of foam ear plugs to do some Booby's with. I also made some small foam poppers out of the same ear plugs.

@Herkileez nice looking Dragonfly nymphs BTW.

Thank you all for the input.

Bob
 
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Draketake said:
I like this idea. I used to tie Big Foam Bass Flies with old flip flops. As I also dabble in leather making, the hole punches would be dual purpose.

I am eyeing a pack of foam ear plugs to do some Booby's with. I also made somen small foam poppers out of the same ear plugs.

@Herkileez nice looking Dragonfly nymphs BTW.

Thank you all for the input.

Bob
Click to expand...
I did notice that foam ear plugs swell up when soaked, so also not closed cell foam. I have also usd pool noodle foam, as CRO mentioned above and they worked great. It doesn't hurt to wander through the Dollar store, as closed cell foam is used for many different applications (ie: packing foam, knee pads, etc) and something may catch your eye. Keep an open mind.. It doesn't matter what it starts out as, only what it ends up as.
 
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BriGuy said:
I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad and a small length of aluminum or brass tubing to punch and take a core from the pad. It seemed to work as well or better than the backer rod. I gave up on both and went back to the premade stuff.

BTW, the best hole punch for foam and other sheet goods is a bullet shell.
Click to expand...
especially with the primer still in the shell...
 
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