Notes:The Squirmy Wormy pattern is a variation of the San Juan Worm by Dave Hise of Hickory, North Carolina. Dave used the silicon tendrils found on certain children's toys rather than Vernille or Ultra Chenille. The silicon material gave much better action to the pattern and would sinuate through the water column just like a live worm. The U.S.Youth Fly Fishing team used this pattern during the 2014 World Youth Fly Fishing Championship which they won and repeated their winning performance in Poland during 2015. Some teams, like the Czech team, felt that this pattern was not a "true" fly pattern but should be considered a spinner lure due to the length and action of the tendrils. The Czechs decided to ban this pattern if the tendrils exceeded 1 cm. This restriction made the pattern look more like a...Czech Nymph. The tendrils are marketed to fly tiers as Squirmito and the material has been reengineered for better durability. However, it remains a material that can be cut quite easily by the thread. Try to select a flat thread such as Danville's Flat Nylon or or one that is greater than 140 denier. Some tiers prefer to use a dubbed thread or a chenille to secure the silicon tendril to the hook shank. Heat and volatile Glues are also a problem with this material causing melting and breakdown. Dave is the owner of Casters Fly Shop and a fly designer for Orvis since 2008 with over 40 patterns attributed to him.
With the use of jig hooks, tungsten beads are now available in a number of colors. Use of the tungsten beads will really get those squirmy wormies close to the bottom. Using Tungsten beads from 3mm to 4.5 is common. Additional weight can be attained with leadfree wire wraps. For additional durability, apply a drop of UV Loon's Fly Finsh Thick to the collar wraps just behind the bead. I was reading Jason Randle's book Nymph Masters and even Lefty Kreh indicated that the Squirmy Wormy was one of his favorite patterns. Don't hesistate to give this pattern a try.
The Squirmy Wormy pattern is a variation of the San Juan Worm by Dave Hise of Hickory, North Carolina. Dave used the silicon tendrils found on certain children's toys rather than Vernille or Ultra Chenille. The silicon material gave much better action to the pattern and would sinuate through the water column just like a live worm. The U.S.Youth Fly Fishing team used this pattern during the 2014 World Youth Fly Fishing Championship which they won and repeated their winning performance in Poland during 2015. Some teams, like the Czech team, felt that this pattern was not a "true" fly pattern but should be considered a spinner lure due to the length and action of the tendrils. The Czechs decided to ban this pattern if the tendrils exceeded 1 cm. This restriction made the pattern look more like a...Czech Nymph. The tendrils are marketed to fly tiers as Squirmito and the material has been reengineered for better durability. However, it remains a material that can be cut quite easily by the thread. Try to select a flat thread such as Danville's Flat Nylon or or one that is greater than 140 denier. Some tiers prefer to use a dubbed thread or a chenille to secure the silicon tendril to the hook shank. Heat and volatile Glues are also a problem with this material causing melting and breakdown. Dave is the owner of Casters Fly Shop and a fly designer for Orvis since 2008 with over 40 patterns attributed to him. 
