Step-by-Step Guide | Stillwater Blood Worm Fly Pattern

with: Lindsay Simpson Fly Fishing

In this tutorial, we’ll be tying a small blood worm pattern designed for smaller still waters, ideal for attracting fish in clear, healthy waters. This fly is perfect for fishing under an indicator or "bung," and it works well in smaller sizes like a 14 or 16.

Materials List:

• Hook: Hanak H-260 Bar Plus Hook (Size 12, Black Nickel)

• Bead: Gutterman Seed Bead 9-0

• Thread: Vivus 30D GSP (Red)

• Flexi Floss: For body construction

• Wire: Orange Wire (Trout Line, designed for Perdigon nymphs)

• Flash: Perdigon Lurex (Silver)

• Head Cement: Solaris Resin & Sally Hansen

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hook & Bead
   Start by placing the hook in the vise. Use a Hanak H-260 Bar Plus hook (Size 12, Black Nickel) for this pattern. Slide a Gutterman seed bead (9-0) onto the hook.

2. Attach Thread
   Begin by attaching Vivus 30D GSP thread (red) to the hook. Leave enough space behind the bead for the finish.

3. Add Flash (Perdigon Lurex)
   Take a piece of Perdigon Lurex (silver) and tie it in just behind the bead. Create a loop to hold the flash and secure it temporarily.

4. Switch to Body Thread
   Tie in the red Vivus 30D GSP thread just behind the bead. Wrap it around the hook to form the base of the fly’s body, coming down about an eighth of an inch along the shank.

5. Attach Flexi Floss
   Next, tie in some Flexi Floss to form the primary body material. Make sure to capture the entire length securely to avoid unraveled floss.

6. Add Wire Ribbing
   Attach orange wire (designed for Perdigon nymphs) to the side of the hook. This will form the ribbing on the body of the fly.

7. Wrap the Body
   Start wrapping the Flexi Floss tightly around the shank under tension, making sure to create a slight taper towards the bead. Then, wrap the wire ribbing over the body, following the Flexi Floss.

8. Finish the Body
   Secure the wire and floss in place at the back of the bead and remove any excess material.

9. Whip Finish
   Whip finish the thread just behind the bead, making sure the fly is secure. This adds a neat and durable finish to the body.

10. Apply Head Cement
    For durability, apply two coats of Solaris resin to the head, covering the bead and any flash. Afterward, apply a layer of Sally Hansen to ensure the fly’s profile sinks quickly and effectively.

11. Dry & Final Touch
    Allow the fly to dry fully before use. This fly is ready to be fished under an indicator, ideally in smaller sizes (14 or 16), and can be very effective in still waters.