Flies using foam

[Clan Chief]

Just the other day I was tidying up my fly tying gear and came across a packet of coloured foam which I have never used . I was wondering if anyone could recommend any patterns incorporating this stuff.

[Traditionalist]

There are very many patterns using foam now. The patterns you can dress with depend on the type of foam and the colours you have.  For general info on foam;

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/ssmaterials/index1.html

I use a couple of foam patterns regularly, and this one has proven very successful;
http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-online.de/Flies/Patterns/Connor_s_Hopper/connor_s_hopper.html

as has this one;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-online.de/Flies/Patterns/Crazy_Frog/crazy_frog.html

Foam ants can be very useful, as can some of the more exotic foam flies like the chernobyl ant:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw/080299fotw.html

One may of course use small pieces of the right foam to achieve various effects on smaller flies as well.  Foam posts are also now used on a variety of parachute flies, foam thorax covers etc etc.

TL
MC