Jack Gartside’s Bass Bug

Jack Gartside's Bass Bug is an easy-to-tie foam topwater fly. A predecessor to his famous gurgler pattern, you can tie the fly in various sizes. Large for bass and other predator or tiny for bluegills and other panfish. Jack had a smaller version of this fly he called the Gartside Bug, both being nearly identical except for the size.  

I replaced Jack's dubbed underbody with Semperfli's Straggle Chenille, Legs, or String, depending on the size of the fly. It is easier to work with and provides more movement and flash to the underbody. An oversized soft webby hackle offers plenty of action in the water, eliminating the need for rubber legs but feel free to add them if you like; they certainly won't diminish the pattern's effectiveness.

The difference between the body Bass Bug and the more common Gurgler pattern, other than the pronounced lip, is how the foam is tied in. On a Gurgler, the foam strip is lashed to the hook shank and folded over the top to create the body. On the Bass Bug, the foam is lashed down on top, and both ends trimmed close.  

If you want to learn a little more about the pattern, check out our blog post here.

Pattern Recipe:

Hook:  Firehole 718 (size 4-14)

Thread:  Semperfli Classic Waxed 6/0 in color to match the foam body

Tail:  Marabou in your color of choice

Foam:  Semperfli Flat Foam (4.5mm to 2.5mm) Other flat foam can be used, especially if you desire a broader leading edge of the fly. I use the Semperfli Flat Foam because of the ease in which it compresses to near nothing without the thread cutting the foam allowing me to form the shape pictured above.

Underbody:  Semperfli Straggle Chenille, Legs or String depending on fly size (original recipe called for dubbing. Color can match or contrast with foam body depending on the desired effect.

Hackle:  Oversized, grizzly hackle in your color of choice palmered through the underbody material. After wrapping, tease the feather fibers out to the sides.