Willow grub

 

During spring and early summer and for up to four months from then Willow trees often play host to a parasitic insect that lays its eggs amongst the foliage. The eggs hatch after only a short gestation period and the grubs feed on the leaves of the tree. These "Willow grubs" as they have become known, are often blown off the tree by the wind or simply fall off often finding themselves on the surface of the water where they are gorged on trout generally at the exclusion of all other passing tucker.

Materials

 

Hook Thread Body Head
Size 14 to 16 curved nymph or caddis Yellow or lime floss Thread Dark olive or brown thread

Process

 

A
  1. Starting at the 95% position wind the thread to the bend of the hook. I have used a Wingaersheek curved nymph hook for this example but grub hook is a good alternative.
  2. Return the thread to the 95% position building up a uniform floss body.

 

B
  1. Tie your thread in just behind the eye of the hook and wind it back to the 95% position.
  2. Tie the floss off with the thread

 

C
  1. Trim the floss and the but end of the thread
  2. Build up a neat thread head.
  3. Whip finish, trim the thread and varnish the head.