Vladi Worm Refinements

[alanb_ct]

On Aaron's recommendation, I tied a bunch of smaller Vladi worms this weekend and discovered some ways to make them even better, in my opinion.

In general, I have found if you stop and think about every little step you do when you tie, you can often figure out a way to make it better. You don't have to follow anyone's opinion either (including mine), what works best for you may indeed be the best there is.

For the smaller worms:
(1) Use smaller diameter lead,
(2) Use a thinner strip of latex (~10 worms from one condom),
(3) Wrap only one layer of latex in the "neck" of the fly,
(4) Concentrate on getting a really nice taper,
(5) If you use the Daiichi 1870 hook, bend the point section of the hook to be parallel with the front part of the bend, and
(6) Most importantly, take the time to smooth the outer latex wraps as you go; all those little streaks and crinkles really take away from the fly's profile and sink rate.

If you look at a real expert's flies (like Davy's) you will notice there are no gaps in the profile, no unnecessary thread wraps and a refined, tapered profile. These little elements add up to a fly that sinks, tracks, wobbles and fishes correctly. I stand on the shoulders of giants, of course, having learned all these tidbits by watching and reading. Hope this advice is helpful to you too.

[Magnet]

Watching and reading is partly how the giants got where they are too.

[rwilliarp]

Interesting. What range of sizes are you making these flies in?

[nutman]

One little trick to try ,if you are wraping a fly with anything say your lead tape .You have some wrapsof thread to hold it down ,you have tied in your materials at the back .You wrap them forward as you wrap them forward insted of going over the thread unwrap it bring your material forward now use the thread to wrap that in .This helps with unnecessary thread build up .I use this on alot of flys when tying in floss or latex.

[alanb_ct]

wishin:

I tie these in size 4 and smaller, as referenced to a TMC 5263 hook.

[Flyfisher]

ok i got to get the materials together to tie these up!! they look like a killer fly!

[alanb_ct]

Thanks, here you go:

[Nymphmeister]

Good tips, I also bend the hook gap a little wider open too when using the Daiichi 1870. Great minds think alike. I haven't tried only using one layer on the "neck" of the fly, that's a very good idea that I will have to try, as well as using a narrower piece.

[SquawsNightmare]

Good info. Is there by chance a link available to the prefered pink condom? I googled and came up with a bunch of condom supplier, but none with pink condoms. >

[alanb_ct]

http://www.allcondoms.com/crown.htm