What it is
The Hareline Universal Bug Wing Cutter is a wing-cutting tool built around double-edge steel blades set into a hardwood base. It’s designed to stamp out clean wing shapes from foam sheets, so every cut comes out consistent. The steel-and-wood build is meant to take regular bench use without the cutter flexing or dulling quickly.
What to tie with it
Use it to cut wing shapes for terrestrials, caddis patterns, and winged nymphs when you want symmetry and repeatability. You’ll typically sandwich or hold your foam sheet flat, press the cutter to punch the shape, then tie the wing in as a top wing, shellback/wingcase style, or paired wings depending on the pattern. It’s also handy when you’re batching flies and want each wing to match the last.
Flies and the fish they're for
Cut foam wings for terrestrial patterns that get fished to trout on rivers and spring creeks when ants, beetles, and hoppers are on the menu. For caddis-style wings, the shapes you cut are aimed at trout in riffles and runs during caddis activity. Winged nymph-style cuts also fit mayfly and stonefly nymph profiles that trout eat in freestones and tailwaters.
How it compares
Compared to hand-cutting wings, it reduces variability and takes out a lot of the guesswork, especially when you need two wings that match. The main advantage is uniformity from fly to fly rather than trying to freehand the same shape repeatedly.