Weekly Fly Tying Tutorial – Small Squirmy Wormy (Check the Tie-In Method!)

The Squirmy Wormy (or Squirmito) needs little introduction. This pattern is famous or infamous both for its effectiveness and how hard it can be to tie the material in both effectively and in such a way the fly doesn’t fall apart.

This version is the one I use on the Yellowstone River and other local waters during the winter and spring. It’s much smaller than most Squirmies, and uses a tying technique that seems to keep the material from falling apart quite so fast, while being quick and easy to tie, so that it doesn’t hurt much when the flies fall apart anyway.

NOTE: Squirmy Wormies are not legal in Yellowstone Park.

 

This particular color combo is actually not one I use. I tied this combo for demonstration purpose. For the “proper” combo, use chartreuse thread. Of course, you can tie the pattern in any color combo you like.

Glow in the Dark Small Squirmy Wormy – Recipe

Hook: #16 scud.

Bead: 3/32″ gold brass.

Thread: 6/0 chartreuse.

Body: Hareline Glow in the Dark Squirmy Wormy material.

Tying Procedure

1. Slide the bead onto the hook, then start the thread behind the bead.
2. Secure the bead with X-wraps near the hook’s midpoint. Super glue the bead in place. It is best to stage-tie to this point, then resume after the glue is dry on all flies.
3. Secure a strand of Squirmy Wormy material about midway down the remaining hook shank from the bead. Use two loose wraps over the material, then wrap back over the hook shank just in front of this tie-in point to pinch the material between the loose wraps and the hook shank wraps.
4. Advance thread to bead and whip finish. Make a single diagonal-wrap forward over the bead and whip finish again. This is for durability. Advance thread midway to the eye.
5. Secure the material at this point in the same fashion as in step #3. Do not stretch the material forward over the bead, just hold it loosely over the hook shank.
6. Whip finish and clip thread at eye.

How-To Video

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