nymph
Squirmy Wormy
- Sizes
- #10–#14
- Imitates
- aquatic worms · crane fly larvae · annelids
- Origin
- Popularized by the Czech team; Gilbert Rowley variant
A controversial but devastatingly effective pattern using a squiggly silicone body to imitate aquatic worms and crane fly larvae. The undulating action of the worm material triggers aggressive strikes even from pressured trout, making it a go-to confidence fly for competition anglers and guides alike.
Recipe
Workbench
Variants
Swipe to see In box and Add
| Size | Bead | Body | In box | Add to box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #10 | tungsten · tungsten | pink | — | — |
| #12 | tungsten · tungsten | pink | — | — |
| #14 | tungsten · tungsten | pink | — | — |
At the vise
Tying notes are not on file for this pattern.
Tying video
Fishing now on
Rivers whose hatch chart names this pattern this month. Names and sizes only.
Not named on this month's hatch charts.
On the water
Fishing notes are not on file for this pattern.
History
It's no secret — fish love worms. Being that the goal is catching fish as efficiently as possible, it follows that worm patterns belong in the box. Gilbert Rowley calls the Squirmy Wormy the single most productive worm pattern he has ever fished — it has pulling power, and often catches the largest fish of the day. The silicone material is the trigger, wiggling on the drift like nothing else. Devin Olsen introduced Rowley to the pattern years ago when the material was hard to find; today every fly shop carries it. Tied with a heavy tungsten bead, it doubles as an anchor fly that gets a rig to depth fast.