Woolly Worm

Materials

How to Tie the Woolly Worm

1. 1

   Step 1

   Secure the hook in the vise. Attach thread behind the eye and wrap a solid thread base to the bend.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Optionally wrap .015 lead wire along the shank for weight and secure with thread wraps.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in a small bunch of red yarn or red hackle fibers at the bend for the tail. Keep the tail short, about the length of the hook gap.

   The red tail is a signature feature of the Woolly Worm. Keep it short and sparse.

4. 4

   Step 4

   At the same tie-in point, secure a piece of fine wire for the rib, then tie in a piece of medium black chenille. Let both hang to the rear.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Select a grizzly saddle hackle with fibers as long as the hook gap. Tie it in by the tip at the base of the tail.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Wrap the chenille forward in close, even turns to just behind the eye. Secure and trim excess.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Palmer the hackle forward over the body in wide, evenly spaced spiral turns to behind the eye. Tie off and trim.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Counter-wrap the wire rib forward in the opposite direction to reinforce the hackle. Tie off and helicopter the wire to break it.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Build a neat thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.