San Juan Worm

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The San Juan Worm originated with Jim Aubrey in the 1970's. It imitates many worms depending upon the colors selected. The actual San Juan Worm is about two inches and resides with the silty river bottom of the San Juan River, New Mexico. It was the impetus to the infamous "San Juan Shuffle", in which fly fishermen used to scuff along the bottom to dislodge the worms and create a feeding frenzy. This technique has become "unsporting" and is not looked upon favorably by most fly fishermen. In the Sierra's, it imitates the blood midge and is also used as a midge larvae patterns within most of the Sierra streams.

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Materials

Tying Instructions

li>Attach the thread about one eye length behind the eye. Secure a ribbing wire and wrap the wire along the top of the shank to the midpoint of the bend.
1. Tie in a 2 inch length of ultra chenille at the rear of the hook behind the wire. Make sure it is about one inch past the hook to imitate the end of an aquatic worm.
2. Move thread forward and pull the body material over the top of the hook. Secure the body material with the wire wraps.
3. Pull the chenille back and complete a small thread head, singe ends and tie off using a whip finish. Apply head cement and get it done.