Website design By BotEap.comTHE ORIGINS OF THE SQUIRMY WORM FLY PATTERN

Website design By BotEap.comThe original squirm was created by Dave Hise of Casters Online. A better worm fly and variant of the better known St. John’s worm. Known for smashing blows and is said to be one of the only flies that chase trout … the Squirmy Wormy. It can be used for any fish that eats worms. The St. John’s worm has won more than its fair share in one-fly tournaments and the twisted one should too. The Squirmy Wormy is what I consider a better variant of the San Juan Worm.

Website design By BotEap.comMATERIALS AND FLY QUALITY

Website design By BotEap.comTied with silicone threads that feel like rubber and have excellent rippling action. If it has or is twisted, do not leave in a hot car. If the bundle is twisted, do not use any type of adhesive or UV resin as the material will melt. Tightly tied flies should catch more than a couple of fish, survive a few heavy bites, and last more than 100 sets. The hooks that the fly is tied to should also be known … as there are many low-quality, no-name, no-brand, and underperforming artists. A good hook is a Mustad, Dai Riki, MFC, J Stockard for starters. There are many premium brands that can be used, but don’t expect anyone who links up commercially to use them unless they ask you to and if you’re willing to pay more and wait longer. The silicone must be larger in diameter than the rubber feet, stretch 5 times the length before breaking, and must not be brittle or cracked. Any fly fold should adhere evenly with few strands sticking out. All beads … if used … must be of a non-toxic material. NO head cement or resin should be present. Sili material must be cut even without tearing. If the thread shows on the body and creates sections in the material, then the fly is inferior and will be destroyed in hard bites as the thread will cut it. Some knotters wrap the material on the hook … I don’t. IF the material is not wrapped it should not be placed under the hook … this is a skill that many do not master … pinching … and then the material “rolls” to the sides and under the hook creating a hideous look mess … If even sections are wrapped they should not be stretched too much.

Website design By BotEap.comFISH THE SQUIRMY WORM

Website design By BotEap.comAny nymph rig should work with your fly fishing tackle, double nymph with impact indicator, a large floating fly as an indicator with a dropper, or just the twisted one, adding split shot if necessary. For spinning, spincasting and casting rigs … use a spoon / spinner like panther martin, mepps or another with the hooks removed and the fly attached like a dropper. I myself wear a 10 pound spinner bubble trial jumpsuit with a swivel and tie a 3 pound tippet or jumpsuit to spin about 18 inches long. You can also use rubber bands tied to the line in two places, one 18 inches above the wet nymph / fly and one at the desired depth to stop the spinning bubble. Use the rotating wedge-type bubble to add water, so that you can cast a fly with equipment other than a fly rod. This works with most flies that cannot be cast with spinning, rotating, or casting equipment due to weight issues. OHH … I almost forgot if you’ve never used spinner bubbles, use the clear ones that have a clear tube in the center that wedges in and allows you to add water for throwing weight … use just enough water to throw. You can add a split shot near your nymph if there is current so you can bring it down. Fishing a skipper in a stream and catching 100 streams or killers doesn’t mean you have a good skipper. The fish in most streams here in Montana will touch anything that hits the water from pine needles, grass, or pieces of tree bark.

Website design By BotEap.comTIE THE SQUIRMY WORMY

Website design By BotEap.comThe way I tie is like the Tightline Productions video on YouTube and Orvis sites.

Website design By BotEap.comThe list of materials is included on the Orvis site. For My Red Worms, I use the Quick Descent dubbing, although any dubbing the same color as the twisted material should work fine. This is not an exact science. I will mention … again … do not use any type of glue, cement or resin with this fly as the reaction melts the material. Half hitch then use two 3-turn whip endings to finish. There are many patterns that use the twisted material, just google and find one that you like. Most of the techniques are covered in the Fly Tier Bench Reference.

Website design By BotEap.comBUYING THE SQUIRMY WORMY

Website design By BotEap.comYou will find that many stores carry this pattern or a similar one. If you buy, just look for the telltale signs of poor quality I mentioned above … enjoy and narrow lines!