FLY
Woolly Worm
Woolly Worm recipe
| Hook | Streamer 3xl, Size 12 (Size Range 4 – 12) |
|---|---|
| Thread | 70 Denier, Black |
| Weighted Wire | 0.015 Lead-Free Wire |
| Tail | Red Yarn |
| Hackle | Grizzly Hackle |
| Body | Fine Chenille, Black |
About this fly
The original Woolly Worm pattern is said to have originated in the Ozarks as a bass fly. Its real popularity however came when Don Martinez, a West Yellowstone, Montana fly tier commercialized the pattern in the 1950s. The Woolly Worm, depending the specific material used and how it is fished can be assumed to resemble large nymphs, more specifically stoneflies, dragonflies, damselflies, riffle beetle larvae or hellgrammites. The original Woolly Worm fly was constructed without a tail, but the contemporary pattern has a yarn tail or hackle fiber tail. The body is a chenille or fur body with a hackle palmered from the tail to the head of the fly. The underbody may be weighted with lead wire. The popular colors are yellow, olives, browns, blacks. The most common hackle used is grizzly.
What the Woolly Worm imitates
- Damselfly nymph (nymph)
- Dragonfly nymph (nymph)
- Hellgrammite / dobsonfly larva
- Stonefly nymph (nymph)
Where the Woolly Worm came from
- Originated by Unknown Ozark bass anglers, 1920, Ozarks (possibly Arkansas). Wikipedia: 1920s Ozark bass fly, creator unknown; Orvis says possibly an Arkansas bass fly.Source: Wikipedia: Woolly Worm (imitation)
- Popularized by Don Martinez, 1950, West Yellowstone, Montana. A Southerner sent him one in the 1950s; he tied and sold them commercially in the West. Wikipedia agrees.Source: Orvis News: How to Tie the Woolly Worm
- Derived from English Palmer fly, England. Palmer flies were popular by the 18th century.Source: Orvis News: How to Tie the Woolly Worm
- Originated by Don Martinez, West Yellowstone, Montana. Wikipedia bio says he is noted for the development and promotion of the Woolly Worm; the Woolly Worm article says creator unknown and Martinez popularized it.Source: Wikipedia: Don Martinez
Where sources tell it differently, each account is listed with its own source.
Inside the vault every material on this fly opens to its own card, and you can save the fly to your own boxes.
