I am big believer of throwing flies that are different from what everyone else is throwing. Fish are wise and will educate themselves to a size 14 Adams quickly. Well, the Vladi Worm is a completely different and unique fly. It was founded in Poland by Vladi Trzebunia, who 20 years ago compiled more points in the World Fly Fishing Championships then three national teams combined. Vladi has tutored many famous American fly fishermen, such as Jackson Hole’s Jack Dennis, as well as many American national fly-fishing teams.

About three years ago, anytime I would fish, I would rig this fly up. As I have gotten away from tight line nymphing, this fly has taken a back seat in my fly box. I don’t think I even tied the Vladi Worm onto the end of my line all of last year. That all changed about a two weeks ago when Zach and I hit up the West Branch of the Ausable during very high water. My first choice was for streamers but the high water and tight pockets kept leading to missed swipes from the trout. I needed to get down the water column very quickly. The correct choice was for tight line nymphing. I re-rigged, tied on Vladi Worm as my anchor fly, and crushed it while many other anglers watched in frustration. The Vladi Worm will catch trout anywhere, period. If you fly fish for pure numbers, then this fly should be your go to fly. The Vladi Worm is heavily weighted and designed for short casts with little to no false casting. The fly rides hook point up, bounces of any rock or obstruction, and will rarely get caught up. This is one of my confidence flies that I know will catch trout anywhere, and I will always have a few in my fly box.

Recipe

Hook: Daichi 1870 Swimming Larva Size 6

Weight: .025 Round Lead Wire

Thread: Pink 210 Danville

Ribbing: 4x Monofilament

Flash: Pearl Magic Shrimp Foil

Body: Pink Crown Latex Condom

Step 1:

Place hook into your vice and wrap two layers of lead wire at the back hook bend.

Step 2:

Start your thread at the front of the hook and continue to wrap over all the lead wire so that there is a nice thread layer down.

Step 3:

Tie in your monofilament, shrimp foil, and latex material.  When working with the condom, start with one condom and then cut it in half.  Take one of those halves and cut it in half again.  You can use one condom to make four Vladi Worms.

Step 4:

Take you tying thread to the front of the hook.  Begin wrapping your latex up to the front of the hook.  When you get there, take two thread wraps around the latex.  Then wrap the latex all the way to the back of the hook again.

Step 5:

Pull your shrimp foil forward and secure at the the fron of the hook.

Step 6:

Wrap the latex material back to the front of the hook one last time, covering the shrimp foil.  Secure latex at the front of the hook.  Cut off excess, latex and shrimp foil.

Step 7:

Take your monofilament and begin wrapping the ribbing all the way to the front of the hook.  Try and pull pretty tight on the mono to create the ribbing effect.  Secure at front, clip excess, and take a few whip finishes to finish!