Fly Tying! How to tie a Bloodworm pattern for Fly Fishing

Hook - Hanak H260 BL #8
Thread - UTC 140D Red
Rib - Red Flexi Floss
Underbody - UTC Mirage Pearl Tinsel (Ice Blue)
Cheeks - Red Holographic
We might well all be allowed to travel to our favourite fishing holes once more but the water despite the mild Winter is still very cold. The fish will still be grubbing around near the bottom searching for food items. This is a great little Bloodworm pattern for fishing on the point of a team of buzzers. Its sleek profile will ensure that it sinks quickly in the water anchoring your team of flies. It will also work just as well under a bung!
So, what would your starting setup consist of for a small Stillwater? Let me know in the comments section below.

[@leemowers9395]

Very clean buzzer/worm, thanks Lindsay.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

You’re welcome 😊

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

If you ever fish the provo river in Utah, these work in all conditions. I've used 1 every time i;ve gone and every time I've caught at least 1 fish an hour on thesee. NOT the cloth worms, and NOT the writtly worms. A simple blood worm. OR a medium red wire wrapped around virtually any larger sized hook. Streamer hook size 6 or 10, a jig hook sized 8 works amazingly!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

So many places in the US I would like to fish! I am out in a few weeks to Michigan. Really looking forward to it.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

dont always use my rotary feature, but when I do need it, i really need it!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It’s handy at times👍

[@kerrypitt9789]

Nice Lindsay! We do an extension and call it the San Juan Worm. This we use in rivers to emulate a totally different critter. Looks good, good video, thank you!!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I have seen the infamous San Juan Worm, we just call them squirmies here Kerry, very effective. Especially for Grayling.

[@jeffprice4611]

Good looking pattern. Use your rotary when curing your UV. It makes for a smoother and quicker finish. When the thread is still attached you do 3/4 turns in both directions. Hope it helps.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for the tip Jeff.

[@fliesbychris]

I've always got some bloodworm buzzers in my box when I'm fishing Stillwaters. Love the 3D effect. Keep em coming mate ATB Chris.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks 👍

[@fliesbychris]

@@lindsayiflyfish Getting my lumix on Thursday!! Lumix DMC_G81.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@fliesbychris Nice camera pal.

[@techmick1399]

Hi Lindsay, like your videos a lot. Boodworms are sometimes killers. I sometimes use a Cortland WF8F/I (15 feet clear intermediate tip) for my 8 wt Single hander. The line has a very strong turnover, that's true. It was designed for heavy flies so it is very important to use a leader with a "longer" and thicker butt section (7 to 9 feet) and then a tapered down section to match your needs. I use a Wychwood RS 10 feet 8 wt with that line but I mostly use my WF7 rio coastal clear intermediate (WF with floating running line and clear head). Best regards and thank you for the nice video. Mick

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Mick.

[@MrMartinzx13]

Nice one Lindsay! Thanks for sharing, love the patter ref Rutland!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

True story pal, Al ended up finishing before me.

[@MrMartinzx13]

@@lindsayiflyfish I have some very happy memories fishing at Rutland with dad, back in the day.... Love your videos!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@MrMartinzx13 Thanks pal much appreciated.

[@constg2602]

That's wonderful! Berkley blood worm is wonderful too :)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not heard of that one will look it up👍

[@GABABQ2756]

Hooked up a few fish on the Juan with a similar pattern called the hook worm.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not heard of that Gary, will look it up.

[@bluesimon13ify]

I fish a red buzzer pattern at this time of year if its difficult, I normally get a few trout on them, its about the same size & red & silver wire with a head made from a couple of wraps of peacock herl!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

This will be my opening gambit when I finally get out on Thursday!

[@bluesimon13ify]

I'm going on the 16th of April not sure what the weather will be doing, it will be good to be back on a boat again,😀😀😀

[@ColinD0131]

Lindsay have you ever used a corixa or tied one on the channel before? I I hear there good on reservoirs and or Stillwaters. Anyway nice fly.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Colin, I am not a big fan to be honest, they are simple enough to tie though.

[@mikejames663]

Lindsay, I've noticed more in the last couple of video's, have you cut down the thickness of your resin brush to get a thinner application on the fly you are dressing?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Mike, no, thats the brush as it comes with the Solarez Bone Dry.

[@mikejames663]

@@lindsayiflyfish cheers mate.

[@philmepham8320]

Hi Lindsay, another excellent tutorial thanks. Have tied a few of similar style myself, albeit with less finesse (!) and can concur with the Al Owen story. Deep and slow/static - and plenty of patience! One (more) newby question... When you talk of an anti-clockwise spin to flatten the thread, is that relative to the direction of tying and hence build up of twist, or because of the basic profile of the thread? Specifically, as a leftie, would I need to spin clockwise for the same effect? I can obviously try it myself but am interested in the reasoning for wider application? Thanks

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Phil, Thanks for tuning in. You got me there for a moment ;-) surely clockwise and anti clockwise are the same regardless of being left or right handed. So, the UTC is made up of hundreds of strands and then twisted (clockwise) onto the bobbin. To flatten that thread out if you were just to leave it hanging from the hook it would eventually spin anti clockwise until flat. To help it I give the bobbin a spin anti clockwise to speed the process up. I hope that makes sense, if not please come back to me.

[@philmepham8320]

@@lindsayiflyfish Ha! I see your thinking and yes, looking from the same side, clockwise will of course always be clockwise and the use of the left hand doesn't change that. But my thought was that when tying in, the accumulation of physically imparted twists around the hook shank will be in the opposite direction when you tie left-handed as opposed to right so the act of flattening might need to be the other way... BUT. You've answered the question by confirming that the act of spinning the thread is merely to hasten it's natural inclination to return to neutral left hanging. So by waiting and watching, I'll surely know my own answer! Right. Time for lie down.. (I'll get me coat...)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@philmepham8320 lol, is not even the 1st of April!

[@philmepham8320]

@@lindsayiflyfish OMG it wasn't that bad was it? Actually, don't answer that, I'm now considering Macramè as a viable alternative....

[@bryanleith2955]

Where can I buy your flies

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Sorry Bryan, I don't sell flies only show folks how I tie them.