Hope this post finds everyone healthy and happy as can be given the current situation. At least, we can still get out in the woods.

Given that the rain seems to want to keep the rivers all high, I figured you all may want to get a secret fly recipe that keeps the rod bending and the net full. Even in high water and/or tailwaters.

It’s the Swift River Steelhead Worm Fly. It’s like a steelhead fly but sized for the picky fish you may encounter at certain rivers or pools in the area. I don’t know why they are so picky either.

So, here is the recipe:

• Pick out a nice mild thread. The thicker the better. You are gonna need that strength to keep the fish from vacuuming the pattern off the hook.

• Pick your hook. I think you can pick the hook for the expected quarry and the size worm fly you are going to tie. I like a jig hook between 10 and 16, but a nymph hook works just fine, too. Make sure to pick out a complementary bead head to get some weight on there. It’s not going to sink itself now, is it?!?!

• Get that thread started.

• Crack open a fresh jar and breath deeply. Realllllllly deep. And, love it. Don’t feel guilty. Love yo’ self. Love that powerful bait.

• Extract enough of the plastic sausage for the fish to gulp down.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joe Drake (@fieldbiojoe)

• Or, alternatively, choose another style of worm like the eggheads at Berkley would.  This is more towards the size 10 to 16 hooks.

• Threading the hook all the way down the shaft helps keep the materials in place.  Place gentle loops around the worm material so you don’t cut through the squirming, life-like plastic-flesh noodle. Make sure to secure the head, but head cement is not required. Don’t want to mess with that scent.

• The smaller sizes don’t even need to be locked in!

I went down to the local flow and chucked this hearty meal to the picky steelhead in the area. They remained picky today. But, I was joined by a hungry brown that needed that meat.

Here is no joke: when out and about, I always keep a couple of essentials in my truck.  An Orvis five-weight, a couple of fly boxes, a Vedavoo pinch pouch for leaders and such, and now, a baggy of SNACKS.

P.S.: I hope this brought a smile to ya’ll. Be safe out there.

P.P.S.: The larger size seen in the fish’s mouth actually worked really well in high water conditions…. Just sayin’.