Walt's Worm
Materials
- Hook — Jig hook size 12 (Umpqua TMC 2499 SP-BL or equivalent); original used a standard nymph hook 12-14
- Bead — Tungsten slotted 3.0-3.2mm, gold or copper
- Lead wire — .015", 10-12 wraps
- Thread — UNI-Thread 8/0, tan
- Body — Hareline Hare's Ear Plus #1 dubbing (tan rabbit + clear antron)
Tying steps
-
Slide the slotted tungsten bead onto the hook with the slot facing forward. Fix the hook in the vise.
-
Wrap 10-12 turns of .015" lead wire around the shank, then slide the coil forward against the bead to lock it in place.
-
Attach thread behind the lead, advance forward over the lead to anchor it, then wrap back to the hook bend to lay a base for the dubbing.
-
Apply hare's ear dubbing in a moderate noodle and wrap forward in touching turns, building a slightly tapered cigar: thicker through the middle, thinner at bend and bead.
-
Whip-finish three turns behind the bead and snip the thread.
-
Pick the dubbing fibers loose with a bodkin or velcro brush. The fly should look shaggy; the loose fibers trap air and create the breathing motion in the drift.
Notes
Single-material hare's ear cigar that imitates cranefly larvae in Pennsylvania limestone water and reads as caddis larva, scud, or sowbug everywhere else. The fuzzier the pick-out, the better it fishes.