Maya Ellison
Fly fishing is a sport that has been around for decades, and the San Juan Worm is a fly pattern that has been used for just as long. However, with the development of silicone-based materials, the super chenille used to tie the San Juan Worm has been replaced with silicone, and the Squirmy Wormy was born. The Squirmy Wormy is a simple fly to tie and can be tied in a few different ways, depending on the type of fishing you want to do. The main thing is to achieve a uniform and durable body. This paragraph will discuss the different ways to tie a plastic worm fly, the best practices for fishing with them, and the materials needed to get started.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of flies | Squirmy Wormy, San Juan Worm, Wiggler |
| Materials | Silicone, chenille, thread, hook, gummy plastic, soft plastics |
| Colors | Hot pink, Aqua Glow in the Dark |
| Techniques | Wrapping the material around the hook, attaching a length of material to the hook, dubbing to create a thorax |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dark place |
| Fishing techniques | Fishing like a lure, under an indicator, tight-lining, under the bung |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of storing plastic worms in a cool, dark place
The Squirmy Wormy fly is a silicone-based fishing fly that has proven effective in catching fish. It is a descendant of the San Juan Worm, which was tied with super chenille. The Squirmy Wormy is a simple fly to tie and fish, and its floppy ends are particularly good for triggering strikes. However, its ends can also tangle with the dropper's tippet, and the whole rig can twist up.
To tie a Squirmy Wormy fly, you will need a hook, thread, a 50 mm length of silicone, and a tungsten bead. Here are the steps to tie one:
- Tie in the pink floss at the hook bend and wind the thread up over the lead wire to the tungsten bead.
- Take the silicone and tie it in by its tip with the thread. Carefully stretch the silicone and wind the thread to the hook bend, being careful not to apply too much tension, or it will cut the silicone.
- Wind the silicone around the hook in touching turns to form the worm body. Tie off using two whip finishes, and avoid using glue as it will attack the silicone.
- Trim the tail to the desired length, usually around 30mm. You can finish the fly here or tidy up the collar area with coloured dubbing.
To ensure your Squirmy Wormy flies last, it is important to store them properly. Silicone worm flies do not hold up well in hot weather, and leaving them in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle can cause the silicone to split and ruin the flies. Therefore, it is crucial to store your plastic worms in a cool, dark place. This will help maintain their shape and effectiveness. Additionally, consider using bait bags treated to prevent drying and cracking, as well as using worm oils or plastic lubricants to extend the life of your baits.
Proper storage of your plastic worms will make a significant difference in their lifespan and effectiveness. By keeping them in a cool, dark place, you can prevent deformation and ensure they remain in top condition for your fishing trips.
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How to tie a single-tailed plastic worm
To tie a single-tailed plastic worm, you will need a hook, thread, and chenille. You can also use silicone or plastic worm material.
First, put your hook in a vise and create a thread base. Then, take your worm material and stretch the tail of the worm out over the eye of the hook. Secure it tightly, but be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can slice through the worm material.
Next, make a quick whip finish and push a bead up against the fly's upper thread base. Start a new thread base to keep the bead in place. Then, tie your second piece of worm material over the thread base above the bend in the hook.
Finally, finish the fly by applying a dab of water-based head cement to the thread wraps behind the bead. Pull the front tag back and trim it to the same length as the tail for balance.
You can also try different colours and variations of the single-tailed worm. For example, a hot pink pattern is effective for fishing winter grayling in coloured water.
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How to tie a double-tailed plastic worm
To tie a double-tailed plastic worm, you will need a hook, thread, and silicone or chenille. Some fishermen also recommend using a bead and dubbing.
Firstly, clamp your hook within your vise and wrap the body with a solid layer of thread. The colour of the thread can be chosen to match the body of the worm, or you can make them different.
Next, wind the silicone or chenille around the hook in touching turns to form the worm body. Tie off using two whip finishes. Do not apply any glue to the thread, as it will attack the silicone rubber.
To create a double-tailed worm, add a tail at the bead end of the fly. Then, tie in the second tail at the bend. Finally, trim the tails to the desired length.
Some fishermen also recommend storing your plastic worms in a cool, dark place to prevent the silicone from splitting.
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The benefits of using silicone worm material
Silicone worm material, also known as \"sili worm\" material, is commonly used in fly fishing. It is used to create a variety of flies, including the Squirmy Wormy, Wiggler, and San Juan Worm. Here are some benefits of using silicone worm material:
Durability and Weather Resistance: Silicone worm material offers improved durability compared to traditional materials like chenille. While silicone worms can be susceptible to splitting in hot weather if left in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle, they generally have better resistance to weathering.
Versatility and Customization: Silicone worm material allows for a wide range of fly-tying options and customization. Fly fishers can create various patterns, colours, and variations to suit different fishing conditions and target specific fish species, such as trout or grayling.
Effectiveness in Attracting Fish: Silicone worms effectively imitate an aquatic food source, particularly during spring when real worms are abundant in trout waters. Their floppy ends create movement in the current, triggering strikes from fish. The wiggly silicone material enhances the lifelike action, making it a productive tool for catching fish.
Ease of Use and Accessibility: While tying silicone worm flies can take some practice due to the nature of the material, it becomes easier with experience. The silicone body material enables fly fishers to create uniform and durable bodies for their flies. Additionally, silicone worms are accessible to casual tiers who may not have the time or patience for more intricate patterns.
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The San Juan Worm: a simple and effective plastic worm pattern
The San Juan Worm is a simple and effective plastic worm pattern that has been a staple in fly fishing for decades. It is designed to imitate the red worms found in the silt-coated channels of New Mexico's San Juan River, from which it derives its name. This pattern is especially effective in the spring when flushing flows scour stream banks and fill rivers with natural worms, making them an easy target for feeding fish.
The San Juan Worm is easy to tie and highly versatile, making it a reliable choice for anglers of all skill levels. It consists of a two-inch length of red chenille tied onto a scud hook, which is a hook with a curved shank. The simplicity of this pattern is part of its appeal, as it can be easily adapted to different water conditions to enhance success.
When tying the San Juan Worm, it is important to use a thread that makes a great base, such as BigFly thread, as only a small amount is needed. The tail of the "worm" should stretch out over the eye of the hook, and it is important to secure it tightly without applying too much pressure to avoid slicing through the worm. A whip finish can then be used to secure the thread, and a bead can be pushed up against the fly's upper thread base.
Variations of the San Juan Worm pattern include different colours such as red, crimson, tan, brown, purple, yellow, and green, as well as different tying techniques. Some anglers tie their worms to be as realistic as possible, while others use attractor patterns. The use of a brass or plastic bead head can emulate the thicker mid-section of a worm, and the shape can be tied to resemble an inchworm with a tall hump. The ends of the worm can also be modified by singing them with a lighter to create darker, pointier tips like those of a real worm.
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Frequently asked questions
The San Juan Worm is a great beginner pattern for plastic worm flies. It is easy to tie, easy to rig, and versatile. It is constructed of three materials: a hook, thread, and chenille.
To tie a San Juan Worm, you will need a hook, thread, and chenille. Make a thread base with your hook in a vise, then secure one of your two pieces of angle-cut chenille to the hook, with the tail of the "worm" stretching out over the eye of the hook. Secure it tightly, but be careful not to apply too much pressure. Make a quick whip finish and push a bead up against the fly's upper thread base. Start a new thread base behind the bead, then tie your second piece of chenille over the thread base above the bend in the hook.
When tying plastic worm flies, it is important to note that the wiggly silicone material is easily cut by the tying thread. Additionally, do not use head cement unless it is water-based, as the chemicals in typical head cement will melt the plastic worm. Finally, store your plastic worm flies in a cool, dark place to prevent them from splitting apart.
