The Walt’s Worm may be the homeliest fly in your box. Dress it up with a little tinsel, and you can make it…well, sexy. When it comes to simplicity, the Walt’s Worm is in a category by itself. That being said, the Sexy Walt’s Worm, and its homely cousin, the (not sexy) Walt’s Worm outperform most of their flashier counterparts. Apparently, trout don’t aren’t interested in sexy. They are interested in food. So, whichever way you tie it, a variation of the Walt’s Worm should be a staple in your fly box.
Origin of the Walt’s Worm
The Walt’s Worm was first tied in Central Pennsylvania, where it developed a reputation as a consistent wild trout catcher in the limestone influenced streams of that region. According to Fly Fishers Paradise Fly Shop in State College, Pa, former employee, Walt Young is credited with developing the pattern in the 1980s. Since that time, this pattern has grown in notoriety and become a staple for competitive anglers. Every day anglers have also found it to be effective, and not just in Central Pennsylvania.
The original Walt’s was tied without a bead. The body was a cigar shape, with a slight taper at each end. The fly was nothing more than a dubbed body of hare’s ear. The fur was brushed out to make the fly look buggier, and then it was ready to fish.
Important Pattern to Learn
The Walt’s Worm is a simple pattern, but it is not necessarily an easy one to tie for beginners. It is an important fly to master when you are learning to tie because it requires the skill of forming a consistent dubbing noodle on the thread. Mastering this pattern takes a little practice, but the payoff will come in learning to tie a dubbed body, a fundamental fly tying skill. Learning to manage dubbing and applying it evenly to thread is not as easy as it may seem.
More of a Style than a Pattern
I would argue that the Walt’s Worm, similar to perdigons, has really become a style of fly and less of a specific pattern. The variations are endless because they can be tied with just about any dubbing. The original pattern features hare’s ear dubbing. But I now see Walt’s Worms tied in all kinds of colors. They are tied with natural and synthetic dubbing materials. Some of the most effective variations are tied with dubbing blends that fly tiers create.
Euro Nymphing Fly
When tied as a Euro nymphing fly, the Walt’s Worm generally has a more traditional taper. But it can also be tied with a more even body. Then, by adding a tungsten bead and tying it on a jig hook, the Walt’s Worm quickly transforms into an extremely effective Euro nymphing fly. It can be tied in a multitude of colors with or without hotspots or brightly colored tags.
Color Variations
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color variations when tying the Walt’s Worm. The original pattern was tied with natural hare’s ear fur. I have found Walt’s Worms tied in olive, ginger, and tan to be really effective. Blending scud dubbing or ice dubbing with natural dubbing in a coffee grinder can produce some really unique and effective dubbing combinations for tying Walt’s Worms. Experiment to find the perfect blend for your local waters.
Vary the Weight
Walt’s Worms are one of the flies I tie in multiple weights. I generally tie them in the Euro style on either size 14 or 16 jig hooks. I vary the weight of the flies by using either 2.4 mm, 2.8 mm, or 3.2mm tungsten beads. Then, I make sure to organize them in my box by weight. This makes it easy to adjust for different depths and changing current speeds.
Making the Walt’s Worm Sexy
Adding some tinsel turns a Walt’s into a Sexy Walt’s. In this video, watch me tie a Euro version of the Sexy Walt’s Worm.
How to Fish a Walt’s Worm
Walt’s Worms, like most nymphs are most effective when fished on a dead drift. I will often begin the day with a heavier one at the point because I know they are effective everywhere I fish. I have found very few trout that are unwilling to eat a size 16 Walt’s Worm. In heavier currents, I may use a Sexy Walt’s or one tied with an ice dubbing blend to provide more flash. In water that is off color, I find reaching for a Walt’s Worm with a hot spot or brightly colored tag will often do the trick. Based on the stream and the time of year, I will experiment with different colors, but I have had the most success with olive, ginger, and tan.
Why Do Trout Eat Walt’s Worms?
Ultimately, I guess I don’t really care why trout eat them. I just know they do. I have heard that Walt’s Worms are taken as crane fly larva (I’ve heard the same thing about mop flies). My guess is that trout eat them because they look natural. When tied well and brushed out, they just have a really buggy look that likely imitates a variety of food sources. Remember, trout are opportunists. They do not always have a lot of time to inspect what they are eating. When drifted naturally, Walt’s worms look like food that trout are willing to eat.
Final Thoughts
The Walt’s Worm, in whatever variation you choose, is a great fly to start with when out on the water. It can be fished with confidence, knowing most trout are willing to eat one. It may take trying some different variations based on where you are fishing, but rest assured, when you do, you will be able to fish them with confidence. When fishing with a fly you have confidence in, you can focus on more important things, like your drift. Getting a Walt’s Worm to drift naturally through a single seam will consistently produce strikes. The rest is up to you!
Thanks for reading! Spend more time on the water!
Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
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