Bodkin / Patterns

Free-Swimming Bloodworm

Midge · Nymph · Stillwater · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Curved caddis/scud hook (Mustad C49S), 16
  • Thread Red 14/0

Materials

  • Body Blood red (Larva Lace (hollow stretch tubing))
  • Head Clear head cement (UV resin)

How to tie it

  1. Cut a length of blood-red Larva Lace for the body. Hold one end near a flame and briefly melt it, then press it flat against the vise jaws to seal and flatten the tip.
  2. With scissors, trim the flattened tip and cut a small V into the very end to form a split, forked tail.
  3. Lay the Larva Lace on a hard surface and run a dubbing needle or marking tool along it to press in evenly spaced segmentation; flip it and repeat on the other side so the body takes on a naturally curved, realistically ribbed shape.
  4. Mount the curved hook and start red thread just behind the eye, taking only a few millimeters of thread wraps.
  5. Trim the segmented body to length, offer it up to the hook and find the position where it sits with a natural bloodworm droop, then lock it in behind the eye with a couple of firm turns.
  6. Wrap back over the tie-in point and forward again to secure the body, keeping the thread head tiny.
  7. Whip finish and remove the thread, then add a small drop of UV resin over the head and cure it with a UV light for a clean, durable finish.

Tying videos

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