To properly learn the techniques and flies presented in this website, work your way through the Basic Skills sections and then do the listed flies in the recommended order. Each fly builds on previously learned skills. They become harder as you move along. Make sure you build several of each fly to solidify your skills at each step.

Importance to Fly fishing

After freshwater shrimp, chironomids are the most important food source for the rainbow trout. In fact, "midges" can often make up a quarter of a trout's daily food.

We have chosen this pattern as our first, because it is extremely easy. This lets you try out basic fly tying before getting into harder patterns.

In the Basic Skills sections you learned how to

• smash down the barb
• put the hook in the vice
• start the thread

Please do the above. Make sure the thread is at the bend of the hook.

· Wrap thread to 2mm behind the hook eye.
· Cut off an 11cm (4") piece of small red vinyl rib material.
· Using the pinch method, tie in material.
(See Tying In Materials in the Basic Skills Section)

Pull the vinyl rib material back over the hook. While doing this wrap the thread toward the bend of the hook.
· Be careful when you get close to the point of the hook. It can cut thread! Angle the thread as you get closer to the bend.

Once you reach the bend of the hook, stop. Then wrap the thread towards the eye of the hook. Stop about 1-2cm from the eye.
· Snip off the excess rib material which is sticking out over the eye

Now wrap the vinyl rib material forward. Wrap in close wraps. Do not overlap.
· You want a segmented look (like little pieces joined together). The natural larvae is segmented.

Once you get to 1-2mm from the eye, stop. Do not wrap too close to the eye. That would make it hard to finish off the fly.
· Give about 3-4 firm wraps of the thread around the material. This will stop the vinyl rib material from unwrapping.
(See Tying Off portion of Wrapping Materials and Tying Off Section)

Snip the excess vinyl rib material off.
· Give about 3 more wraps of the thread.
· Use three half hitches to secure the thread.
(See Finishing The Fly)
· Cut off thread.

Using a toothpick, put a drop of head cement on the wraps to really secure them.

Check your fly a few moments later to see if the glue has seeped across the eye. If it has poke through the hook-eye with a toothpick.

Here is the complete Bloodworm.

Click Here for more Chironomid patterns.

Teacher Support Materials for this Section

How to Fish the Bloodworm Fly