In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Cheech with Fly Fish Food ties a simple, yet deadly, variation on the classic Walt’s Worm that will compete in productivity, the Ugly Walt’s Worm.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
Today, there are thousands of nymph patterns on the market. Many of the flies today take time and precision to execute well, two things that not every tyer has. Simple will always be effective and some of the most basic patterns have proven that such as the Mop Fly, Clouser Minnow, and Woolly Bugger. Joining that list is a variation on Walt’s Worm and can be considered the uglier younger brother, the Ugly Walt’s Worm.
This pattern is nearly as simple as it gets and is a fantastic fly to begin your tying career on. You will be able to practice wrapping materials and creating variations of this fly by altering the hot spot, which is a great feeling no matter the skill level. Some colors will work better at different times of the year, so having a few different variations of the Ugly Walt’s Worm will be key for success.
Using this fly in a double nymph rig will produce fish, whether that is Euro style or under an indicator. Replacing the orange chenille with chartreuse will imitate a caddis nymph, the one natural imitation this fly may take on. Enjoy the simple patterns, as they are the ones that fill up the box and will often produce the most. The Ugly Walt’s Worm is a nymph that anglers should carry in their nymph box year-round and have some fun on the vise with.
Ingredients:
- Hook: Umpqua XC400BL-BN – 16
- Bead: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads – Gold – 2.8 mm
- Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread – 12/0 – Fl. Orange
- Tag: Ultrafine Suede Chenille – Fl. Orange Sunburst
- Body: Semperfli Fly Tying Wool – Chadwick 477 Substitute
Now you know how to tie the Ugly Walt’s Worm!
Video and ingredients courtesy of Fly Fish Food.