Woolly worm

 

This is an old pattern and whilst it can be dressed in many different ways I prefer it dressed as described below which is similar to the original form with the exception of the tail which I prefer to be much finer than the original. I guess that makes it like a small Woolly Bugger. This fly works well in streams when fished across and down and is also a useful fly when fish are in still water mooching amongst flotsam & jetsam.

Materials

Hook Thread Weight Rib Tag Body Hackle
Size 10 to 14 3X long shank Black lead weight Copper wire Marabou Peacock herl or chenille Grizzly hackle - natural or dyed

Process

A
  1. Wind the thread in touching turns from the 95% mark (just 5% back from the eye of the hook) to the bend of the hook.
  2. Tie in a wet fly tag of marabou or filoplume at the bend of the hook.

B
  1. Tie in a length of copper wire at the bend of the hook.
  2. Tie in 4 or 6 peacock herl just behind the eye of the hook and tie them down along the top of the hook shank all the way to the bend of the hook forming an under-body.
  3. Twist the herl around the thread to form a herl rope.

C
  1. Wind the herl rope along the hook shank to the 95% position forming a uniform cigar shaped body.
  2. Trim the excess herl.
  3. Tie in the hackle just behind the eye of the hook.

D
  1. Take 2 or 3 wraps of hackle just behind the eye of the hook and then palmer it all the way down to the bend of the hook forming 4 or 5 segments.
  2. Whilst maintaining the tension on the hackle pick up the copper wire and wind it back toward the eye of the hook forming 4 or 5 segments that lock the hackle in position.

E
  1. Take one final wrap of copper wire amongst the wraps of  hackle at the eye of the hook and bend the copper wire back and forward under tension until the excess breaks off.
  2. Trim of the excess hackle at the bend of the hook with a blade.
  3. Bring your fingers over the front of the hook directing the hackle tips backward build up a neat head, whip finish and varnish.



Last Updated: February 19, 2011
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Categories: Flies, Midge pupa, grubs & snails, Nymphs, Streamers & pulling flies
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