Hareline Damsel/Dragonfly Foam Body Cutter

What it is

Hareline’s Damsel/Dragonfly Foam Body Cutter is a stainless steel cutter used to stamp out consistent foam body shapes. The cutting edges are sharp, and the tool is built to hold up at the bench. It comes in multiple size options so you can match the bug size you’re seeing.

What to tie with it

Use it to cut foam bodies for damsel and dragonfly patterns, especially when you want a clean, repeatable silhouette instead of freehand scissor work. It’s a straightforward way to build foam-bodied terrestrials and toppers, and it also plays well with extended-body style ties where a uniform body segment matters.

Flies and the fish they're for

Cut foam bodies with it for damsel and dragonfly imitations that get fished on top for warmwater fish, especially smallmouth bass when adult dragonflies are active over the river. It also fits extended-body dragonfly patterns that are fished as surface bugs for trout when big insects are getting noticed. In stillwaters and ponds, foam dragonfly and damsel profiles are also a common way to target panfish around weed edges and banks.

How it compares

Compared to less realistic fly patterns, the cutter helps you turn out a more insect-shaped foam body with consistent proportions from fly to fly.