Sexy Walt's Worm
Hook: Trout Legend Jig
Hook (or Jig Hook of choice), Size #14.
Thread: 70 denier or 8\0 Fluorescent
Orange.
Bead: 3 mm tungsten bead, in Silver or color of choice.
Rib: Pearlescent Krystal Flash or thin Sulky Opalescent Tinsel.
Weight (Optional): 8-10 wraps of .020 lead-free wire.
Body: Natural Hares-mask dubbing mixed with Antron.
Hot Spot/Collar: Fluorescent Orange Thread.
Walt's worm was developed in 1984 by a fly tyer named Walt Young of Altoona, PA. This fly is so simple, yet it’s in my top 5 flies of all time. Why is it so effective? Well, it can imitate a variety of things, including sow bugs, scuds, and fresh water shrimp. It is also an excellent representation of a caddis pupa. Try tying it in a Natural Hares dubbing and Olive Hares dubbing. For an alternative ‘Hot Spot’ you can also use Chartreuse Thread.
To tie this fly, insert the hook point into the small hole on the bead. Slide it forward down the hook shank to the eye. Next, take 5-10 wraps of lead free wire around the hook shank. ‘Helicopter’ off the excess wire and slide the wraps against the bead. This should lock it in place. Start your thread on the hook shank immediately behind the wire. Take securing wraps rearward, then cut off the tag end of the thread. Now take thread wraps over the wire up to the bead and back down the hook shank. Next, tie in your Pearlescent Tinsel. It should extend beyond the back of the hook bend. After securing it use your thread to create a smooth ramp up to your wire.
Now, with your thread back at the bend of the hook, dub a slender dubbing noodle with your Hares Ear/Antron Dubbing. You can make your own dubbing mixture or purchase one of the many commercial mixtures that are available. With your dubbing noodle, take wraps forward to create a smooth carrot shaped body. End it immediately behind the bead.
With your ribbing material, take open spiral wraps up the body of the fly. Tie it off behind the bead. Cut off the tag end. Secure your tying thread with additional wraps and whip finish to create your ‘Hot Spot’. Finally, cut off the tag end of your thread.
Tightlinesvideo has a great instructional video on how to tie this fly below:
If you have any
questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be
reached at pdinice@frontier.com
.
