Killer Rock Worm with Lou DiGena

 

Hook:        Mustad S80-3906 (https://amzn.to/3qlSsIY​)
Size:         10 - 16         
Thread:     UTC Ultra Wire, Black in size Brassie (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj​)      
Body:        Green Yarn (https://amzn.to/2LOSw4Q)
Head:        UTC Ultra Wire, Black (https://amzn.to/37gXKhj​)
 
The "Killer Rock Worm" a variation of Frank Sawyer's "Killer Bug." Using black wire and green yarn.   Change yarn and wire color to mimic the caddis larva in your waters.

The Killer Bug is famous in the U.K. and Europe and recently has this pattern gained a following in the U.S.  This fly is renowned for its catching fish and the mythological properties of Chadwick's 477 wool used in its construction.

Frank Sawyer was a river keeper on the River Avon at Lake in Wiltshire in the U.K., along with being a writer and inventor of such flies as the Pheasant Tail Nymph.  

The killer bug was developed by Mr. Sawyer to manage the grayling numbers on the River Avon.  Then Grayling considered a coarse fish and undesirable as a food or game fish.

If you're looking for an available substitute, Semperfli Chadwicks 477 Substitute (https://amzn.to/3de9ll5​) is an excellent choice.

 

Fly Tying Gear:

    Regal Stainless Steel Revolution and Base (https://amzn.to/3gxmQvL)
    Regal Vise Tool Bar Attachment (https://amzn.to/2IxpKEe)
    Cohen's Sculpting Scissors
    Tiemco Ceramic Bobbin (https://amzn.to/3u7Gkxv)
    Matarelli Whip Finisher (https://amzn.to/370HxNu)
    Solarez Bone Dry (https://amzn.to/3m3o4jn) 

 

Camera Gear:

    Camera: Panasonic GH4 (https://amzn.to/2ItiCsu)
    Lens: Panasonic 30mm Macro (https://amzn.to/3n0ZZe)
    Ring Light: Neewer 48 Macro LED (https://amzn.to/2VUSfii)
    Fill Light (3): Aputure H198 (https://amzn.to/39V2D1S)
    Battery: Wasabi Power Battery and charger. (https://amzn.to/2VRyo3s)
    Backdrop: Dark Grey & Light Grey (https://amzn.to/33UzUX3) 

 

Using affiliate links helps support the channel at no cost to you, thanks.

 

© 2021 Louis DiGena All Rights Reserved. 

 

#loudigena #flytying #flyfishing

 

Opening Day 2012

Over the years a tradition has developed around opening day of Trout Season. My boys and many friends have a dinner on the banks of a river and many of us camp out to fish the next morning at the 8:00AM start of the season.

This year we had 30 for dinner with just less than half camping out. The large turn out is in direct proportion to the weather, which this year was fabulous.

I'm the grill master with help from The Jersey Angler, and every one brings some thing to table, whether it's appetizers, sides deserts and adult beverages of one sort or another.

While the season only closes for 3 weeks, this is the first outing for many after a long cold winter. This year we didn't winter, more of an extended Autumn.

For me it's a day where I guide my boys and spend time teaching them the art of angling.

Fish on!

Happy Camper

Nice Brookie

Stream entomology

More bugs

Nice Brown.

Could be the big one.

20" Rainbow

Caddis, Brook, Brown and Rainbows

The month of May here in the east has been wet, and gray (Chicago gray).  On the upside when the water levels are good and when wadeable the fishing is stellar.

One of the patterns that's been working well this spring is my Anchor Caddis.  A variation on Hans Stephenson "The Bomb."  It's a generic Caddis Larva that I tie with or with out legs.

Anchor Caddis

Hook: Mustad 3399 Size 6 - 10
Head: Tungsten Bead to Match Hook
Weight: .032 Non-lead Wire
Thread: Olive 6/0
Tail: Natural CDC
Ribbing: Green Wire
Abdomen: Olive Squirrel Dubbing
Hot Spot: Hairline Hot Orange UV Ice Dub
Thorax: Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Legs*:  Hungary Partridge or any Hen Hackle.

Here are the results:

Your results may vary.

UV Chewee Rock Worm

UV Chewee Rock Worm

Hook – Any Heavy Grub hook
Size – 8 - 12
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black or Olive
Head – Black Tungsten Bead
Thorax – Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Abdomen – Caddis-Green UV Chewee Skin
Rib – .32 gauge Green Parawire

While tying at a CJTU meeting I started playing around with UV Chewee Skin.  I've seen it on the web and at the shows, so I've decided adapted it with one of my most productive patterns (Green Rock Worm).  Rhyacophila larvae are abundant in most freestone streams and because of behavioural drift they are always breaking free from the bottom and tumbling down stream.  This pattern and all Rhyacophila patterns work great in a Czech/Euro nymph set-up.  It's a quick pattern to tie and follow the K.I.S.S. rule.

 1. Mash down barb, slide on bead and secure in wire.

 2. Tie in UV Chewee Skin.

3. Wrap UV Chewee Skin forward.

 4. Wind wire forward to create a ribbing.

5. Dub Thorax and whip finish.

UV Bobesh

UV Bobesh

I was playing around with some UV materials while tying at a sportsman show about two weeks ago.  Here is the result the UV Bobesh, which is a variation  on the basic Czech nymph.

The Bobesh fly imitate the larvae stages of Caddis and first started with the sausage skin, than skin of the catfish or the eel and later latex.

I've found adding UV material to my patterns to be very productive, so here I went all out and used as much as possible.  We'll see how it works when the streams open up.



Hook – DOHIKU Scud/Grub Hooks any heavy Grub hook
Size – 8 - 12Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black
Thorax/Head – Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Hot Spot – Hairline Hot Orange UV Ice Dub
Abdomen – Hairline Tan UV Ice Dub
Rib – .32 gauge Brown Parawire
Shell Back – Knapek Pearl Braidback UV Claret (2.5mm)
Weight –.015 Lead Free Wire

Wind on your non-lead wire. (Flat lead works the best.)

Secure wire and wrap with thread to form a taper.

Tie in Braidback.

Dub Abdomen.

Dub hot spot. (Heart)

Dub Thorax.

Fold over Braidback and secure.

Advance wire and tie off.
(You may finish the fly here if you like.)

Dub the head with Black UV Ice Dub and whip finish.
(This is optional, but I like how it finish the fly.)

Pearl Tag Caddis

Here is a pattern from the Holiday tying session it's another variation on a Caddis larva. I tied it on the Mustad's Demon Circle Hook (here in a size 12), but you can use the grub hook of your choice. I purchased the Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze dubbing and Fly D&K Quill Body from Kevin Compton.  I didn't see it on his web site www.performanceflies.com but I'm sure if you email him through the his sight he'll hook-you-up (yes pun intended).

Pearl Tag Caddis

Size – 8 - 12 Mustad Demon Circle Hook 1X Fine Wire (Ref# 39951BLN)
Thread – 8/0 Dark Brown
Head – Gold Tungsten Bead 2.3mm
Thorax – Jan Siman’s Peacock Bronze
Body – Hairline Dark Hare's Ear
Rib – Fly D&K Quill Body
Tag –Pearl Flashabou

Thank you Bugs of the Underworld and the Ice Pink Larva

Back in July I developed the Ice Pink Larva from watching Ralph and Lisa Cutter's DVD "Bugs of the Underworld".  I did not test the pattern until recently, and I must say it did produce.  While I take some Rainbows the majority were Browns

Image from "Bugs of the Underworld"

Ice Pink Larva

First Trout on the Ice Pink Larva

Taker number two.

Third time is the charm.

Umpqua's Black Fly Larva

Here is another new pattern from Umpqua Feather Merchants, I think it will be a winner. If you've been bitten by Black Flies in the spring while fishing (like I have) than Black Fly Larva are in the water you're fishing.

I like it for two reasons: 1. It's a simple tie following the K.I.S.S. rule; and there are plenty of these buggers in the rivers.  I think this will be a winner.

Here is the recipe as I see it.

Umpqua's Black Fly Larva

Size – 18-22 Nymph Hook
Thread – 8/0 Olive
Gills – White CDC Fibers
Body – Midge Larva Lace Clear or Olive

POG Caddis Larva

When I was tying the "Ice Pink Larva" I started to play with some of the color combination here is a variation I'm calling the POG Caddis Larva (Purple, Orange, and Green).

Right now my local rivers are too hot to fish for trout.  I stop when the water temperature hit 70º F, so I've not tested this pattern.  If you tie some up publish your results in the comment section.  Thank.

Hook – TMC 2457 or any heavy Grub hook
Size – 10-16

Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black
Head – Hairline Ice Dub Caddis Green and Black Brass or Tungsten bead
Hot Spot – Hairline Ice Dub Orange
Abdomen – S.L.F. Prism Dub SLP074 - Hot Purple
Rib – .32 gauge Amethyst Parawire or any purple wire
Shell Back – Hairline 1/8" Tan Scud Back
Gills – White CDC

1. Mash down barb and bead and secure in wire.

 2. Tie in white CDC for Gills.

3. Tie in Tan Scud Back.

4. Dub Abdomen.

5. Dub Thorax.

6. Dub Head.

7. Pull Shell Back over the top and tie-off.

8. Advance your wire creating the rib.

9. Secure wire and whip finish.

Caddis Larva based on Bugs of the Underworld - Ice Pink Larva

This pattern owes it's inspiration to  Ralph and Lisa Cutter's DVD "Bugs of the Underworld".

Below is a photo off my TV of the Caddis Larva this pattern is based.  As you can see it is the pink abdomen, cream yellow thorax and black head, also this Caddis has white gills at the tail.

      This image is from "Bugs of the Underworld".

Hook – TMC 2457 or any heavy Grub hook

Size – 10-16

Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black

Head – Hairline Ice Dub Olive Brown and Black Brass or Tungsten bead 

Thorax – Squirrel Blend Sulphue or any Yellow dubbing blend

Abdomen – Hairline Ice Dub UV Florescent Hot Pink

Rib – .32 gauge Amethyst Parawire or any purple wire

Shell Back – Hairline 1/8" Tan Scud Back

Gills – White CDC

 1. Mash down barb and bead and secure in wire.

  2. Tie in white CDC for Gills.

 3. Tie in Tan Scud Back.

 

  4. Dub Abdomen.

 

5. Dub Thorax.

6. Dub Head.

  7. Pull Shell Back over the top and tie-off.

  8. Advance your wire creating the rib.

 9. Secure wire and whip finish.