Inchworm Fly
The inchworm, also called the spanworm, looper, sour wormand measuring worm, is the
larva stage of life for the moth. There are numerous species of them.
Inchworms are a yellowish/green color. Most of them are green. At times the worm like
larvae will suspend several inches from limbs on a silk thread they produce. They do this
hanging act when they are ready to pupate. It is common for them to fall into the water. In
fact, if they are suspended over the water, they are going to fall into the water.
A good time to try an inchworm pattern would be when you spot a few of them hanging
from tree limbs, especially during those times when a major hatch is not underway, which
is ninety percent of the time. If you have not seen any of them on the banks it very
unlikely there will be any in the water. That doesn't mean you can't catch fish on the fly.
You probably can even if there are no inch worms simply because the fly also closely
resembles other food such as Rock Worms (free living caddis larvae) and some of the
net-spinning caddis larvae.
The different species of inchworms pupate at different times of the year. You will find
them throughout the summer but heavy only at certain times. Once the trout have seen
them, it doesn't seem to matter if they are lots of them or not.
Presentation:
As with most terrestrials, in the larger streams you should fish the "Perfect Fly" Inch
Worm Fly near the banks concentrating on those with overhanging limbs of trees and
bushes. Most of the small stream have tree limbs that about cover the entire width of the
stream. The fly can be fished with or without any added weight A very good method is to
use a large fly such as a hopper as an indicator and fish the inchworm larvae imitation
below it at a depth depending upon the depth of the water you are fishing. Not only is the
large fly a good strike indicator, it may also get some action from the trout.
Of course you can also use a strike indicator. We almost always fish the fly without an
indicator or a large dry fly tandem rig. You can detect the strike simply by watching your
line and leader. That is our preferred way of fishing the fly.
The inchworm, also called the spanworm, looper, sour wormand measuring worm, is the
larva stage of life for the moth. There are numerous species of them.
Inchworms are a yellowish/green color. Most of them are green. At times the worm like
larvae will suspend several inches from limbs on a silk thread they produce. They do this
hanging act when they are ready to pupate. It is common for them to fall into the water. In
fact, if they are suspended over the water, they are going to fall into the water.
A good time to try an inchworm pattern would be when you spot a few of them hanging
from tree limbs, especially during those times when a major hatch is not underway, which
is ninety percent of the time. If you have not seen any of them on the banks it very
unlikely there will be any in the water. That doesn't mean you can't catch fish on the fly.
You probably can even if there are no inch worms simply because the fly also closely
resembles other food such as Rock Worms (free living caddis larvae) and some of the
net-spinning caddis larvae.
The different species of inchworms pupate at different times of the year. You will find
them throughout the summer but heavy only at certain times. Once the trout have seen
them, it doesn't seem to matter if they are lots of them or not.
Presentation:
As with most terrestrials, in the larger streams you should fish the "Perfect Fly" Inch
Worm Fly near the banks concentrating on those with overhanging limbs of trees and
bushes. Most of the small stream have tree limbs that about cover the entire width of the
stream. The fly can be fished with or without any added weight A very good method is to
use a large fly such as a hopper as an indicator and fish the inchworm larvae imitation
below it at a depth depending upon the depth of the water you are fishing. Not only is the
large fly a good strike indicator, it may also get some action from the trout.
Of course you can also use a strike indicator. We almost always fish the fly without an
indicator or a large dry fly tandem rig. You can detect the strike simply by watching your
line and leader. That is our preferred way of fishing the fly.
Copyright 2008 James Marsh
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