Description
The Woolly Worm is a classic and versatile fly pattern, often categorized as a wet fly or nymph. It's designed to be fished subsurface. While its name suggests a caterpillar, it's most often used to imitate larger aquatic insects like stonefly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs, or hellgrammites, as well as leeches. These two variations, a brown and a black/grizzly, are excellent natural imitations of many of these food sources.
Which fish are most interested in these flies?
These are both excellent multi-species flies, and their natural colors are especially effective for trout (including rainbow, brown, and brook trout), bass (largemouth and smallmouth), and panfish like perch. They are a go-to for targeting fish that feed heavily on stoneflies and other dark-colored insects. Many anglers also find great success with them for steelhead and Atlantic salmon.
When is the best time to fish with them?
These Woolly Worms can be fished successfully all year round, but they are particularly effective during the spring, summer, and fall. The natural brown and black/grizzly colors are great choices for imitating the insects and leeches that are abundant during these seasons. They can be fished at any time of day, but they are often a top choice in the mornings or evenings when fish are actively feeding.
Are they saltwater or freshwater flies?
The Woolly Worm is primarily a freshwater fly. It's a go-to pattern for rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. While it's not a typical saltwater fly, some anglers have reported success with it for certain coastal species, such as sea trout, especially when they are feeding on small crustaceans like shrimp.
Where is the best place to fish with them?
The Woolly Worm can be fished in almost any freshwater environment. It's highly effective in rivers and streams when fished to imitate a nymph or a leech drifting in the current. In lakes and ponds, it's excellent for fishing around weed beds, submerged structures, or drop-offs where fish hide and ambush their prey.
Other Value:
Retrieval: The beauty of these flies is their versatility. You can use different retrieves to mimic different prey. A slow, steady retrieve can imitate a swimming leech, while short, erratic strips can make it look like a fleeing minnow or a swimming nymph. You can also let it drift naturally in the current like a dead insect.
The "Woolly Bugger": The Woolly Worm is the predecessor to the more well-known Woolly Bugger. The main difference is that the Woolly Bugger has a marabou tail, which gives it more lifelike movement in the water.
Versatility: The brown and black/grizzly Woolly Worms are two of the most versatile and effective color patterns in this fly family. They are a must-have for any angler's fly box due to their ability to imitate a wide range of aquatic life.