What it is
Hareline Foam Cylinders are round rods of closed-cell foam made for building floating fly bodies. The foam is buoyant, lightweight, and durable, with a consistent density so it cuts and shapes predictably at the vise.
What to tie with it
Use it for popper bodies and for high-floating bodies on hoppers and other terrestrials. Most tyers either cut a section to length and tie it in as a body, or trim and shape it into a tapered/segmented profile, then lock it down with thread wraps and a bit of adhesive where needed.
Flies and the fish they're for
Foam cylinders shine in terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles, where the round profile makes a natural-looking, high-riding body for trout in rivers and creeks during summer drop-ins. They also fit right into hopper-style dries for trout on windy banks and meadow water, and into popper-style topwaters for warmwater fish like bass and panfish in ponds and lakes. If you like fishing a Triangle Bug, the cylinder gives you the floating core that keeps that style of foam terrestrial riding high for trout and also works as a buoyant snack for bluegill around shallow cover.