Fly Tying Inventory
Sparklesvelte Blood Worm
A slim, sparkly blood worm tied by Curtis Fry as a specialist pattern for picky fish and for imitating much smaller midge larvae in streams and rivers, and it also earns a place in stillwater boxes. Cranberry holographic tinsel forms the body, a twisted loop of the red tying thread makes the rib, and a UV finish coats it all. With only three materials beyond the hook, it is simple and fast to tie in numbers. Tied here on a size 18 hook, with a Daiichi 1130 for sizes 20 to 24.
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Materials
Daiichi 1150 Hook, scud and chironomid style, size 18 (or Daiichi 1130 for sizes 20 to 24)
18
Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish, for the body coat
How to Tie the Sparklesvelte Blood Worm
- 1
Step 1
Mount the hook and start the red thread at the back of the shank where the bend begins.
- 2
Step 2
Pull out a long loop of thread at the back of the shank, lock it with a few wraps and keep it out of the way behind the hook. This loop becomes the rib.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a strip of cranberry Veevus tinsel at the same spot.
- 4
Step 4
Wrap the thread forward in a smooth layer and leave it hanging just behind the eye.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap the tinsel forward over the thread in touching turns. Tie it off behind the eye and trim the excess.
- 6
Step 6
Twist the thread loop into a fine cord, then spiral it forward over the tinsel in open turns to make the rib. Tie it off behind the eye and trim the excess.
- 7
Step 7
Whip finish a small red head and cut the thread.
- 8
Step 8
Coat the body with Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish, turning the fly to reach the top and the underside.
- 9
Step 9
Cure the finish under a UV light.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRw9JY66pB4
Credit: Curtis Fry / Fly Fish Food