How to Fish the Bloodworm
(Chironomid larva)
For most young people starting out, directions to fish with a flyline may be too advanced. However, they are included for those that may have the resources, knowledge and experience to actually go out, fly cast and fish with proper fly fishing gear.
This description is meant to offer a successful fishing experience
for all experience levels. It is not meant to be the only or the best way to
fish this fly.
The larvae live in the drop-off zone of a lake, not far
from the shore. They burrow into the mud or just above the mud. It is important
to dangle the bloodworm just above the bottom.
Tie the bloodworm onto the end of your fishing line. Make sure you use a lightweight line (6 lb test or less). About 20 cm above the hook put on a very small lead shot. Before putting on the float, figure how deep the fly must go. To figure out the depth the following can be done:
· Put rock or something "weighty" in the small plastic bag.
· Hook the bag onto the hook.
· Lower the bag until you just hit bottom.
· After the weighted bag hits the bottom, lift up about 30 cm and grab the line where it enters the water.
· Lift up the line and detach the bag
· Put out your line and watch the float.
· Gently lift up the line (do not yank) if the float even dips slightly
Note: You must be very observant. Fish will take the hook into their mouth, and quickly find out that this is not the real thing. They then spit it out. So the slightest movement of the float must be reacted to. It is not necessary to have fly fishing gear to fish a bloodworm.