Red Green Chironomid Larva-Phil Rowley Fly Tying

Red Green Chironomid Larva
Designed by Brian Chan
Hook: Daiichi 1760 #8-#16
Thread: MFC 8/0 or UTC 70, Red
Rib: Sexi-Floss, Red
#2 Rib: Silver Wire
Body: Flashabou, #6903, Kelly Green
Bead: Glass, Red
Chironomid larva or bloodworm is perhaps the most underrated and underappreciated stillwater bread and butter food source. Trout, however, love them.
Bloodworms are an excellent pattern choice when prospecting muddy shoals, deeper water with reduced weed growth and during the summer months when trout retreat to deeper more oxygenated water.
A well-presented bloodworm pattern is seldom refused. Floating line techniques with or without indicators are the most common presentation tactics. Use a painstakingly slow retrieve or allow the fly to wind drift downwind on a tight line. Takes can be subtle to pay attention throughout the retrieve.
To learn more about these and other presentation methods please download and subscribe to mine and Brian Chan’s Stillwater Fly Fishing App by selecting the appropriate link below. One of the app benefits is the ability to take our helpful content with you wherever you go. Once downloaded to your smartphone, Wi-Fi is not needed to access the over 100 video tips, and growing, contained across five different chapters, Entomology, Leaders & Knots, Strategies and Tactics, Equipment and Stillwater Flies.
iPhone: itunes.apple.c....
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Purchase This Fly: goo.gl/4LuVNF
Material & Product Sources
Daiichi 1760 Curved hook: www.canadianll...
Glass Beads: amzn.to/2RsDdQ8
UTC 70 Red Tying Thread: amzn.to/2SpGblz
Regal Vise: amzn.to/2Aki5Tb
Dr. Slick Scissors: amzn.to/2Aj9jox
Dr. Slick Whip Finisher: amzn.to/2jBpxzo
Dr. Slick Bodkin: amzn.to/2BCcGW1
Rite Ceramic Bobbin: amzn.to/2Axr4B9
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[@Pwrcritter]

Nice Christmassy looking fly!

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Yes, festive colors for sure. Trout seem to view it as a gift at any time during the year, though! 😀
Cheers, Phil

[@ronmcneal1569]

Thanks Phil. Happy New Year!!

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Thanks Ron, all the best to you and your family in 2019.
Cheers, Phil

[@bobbertheclown2907]

Happy New Year Phil. hoping to catch you in may for some guiding. Thanks for all the videos. your the best..

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Let me know or perhaps you might want to join me on one of my hosted stillwater seminars?
Cheers, Phil

[@jacknichols3828]

I love your videos but I have a question regarding the use of the color RED in many fly patterns. Especially in still water fishing where depths could be in 10-20 feet range. RED begins to disappear in as shallow as 5 ft, but definitely at 10-15 feet. So why use red in patterns if at 10-15 feet it looks dark gray or black? As a scuba diver I have witnessed this hundreds of times. Maybe there is something I hadn’t considered that you can fill me in on. Maybe fish eyes don’t lose the colors like human eyes do? I don’t know…

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Jack,
A great question. You are correct red is the first color in the spectrum to disappear as water depth increases and available light decreases. I tie red patterns for a couple of reasons. First, if I am fishing shallow water in the depths you mentioned in your comment my fly is of similar color to the naturals. Second, from a practical perspective, my pattern will appear the same gray to black coloration at the naturals in deeper water too and I don't necessarily have to tie different pattern versions.
I do, however, make use of fluorescent materials when using deep water patterns. One of my favorite deepwater bloodworm patterns is Gerry McBride's Bionic Worm. This pattern features a fluorescent orange bead and fluorescent pink marabou tail and is one of my favorite deepwater (greater than 15') patterns. I have a tying video on my channel for this fly.
I hope this helps provide my perspective on this. Once again a great question.
Cheers, Phil

[@martinhodell8465]

if the actual larva are red, and the fish eat them, why does it matter what happens to that color at different depths? If the artificial resembles the actual and the fish are feeding on the natural, what's the issue?

[@Pete.108]

Nice one Phil going to tie it up right now as fishing tomorrow morning and i know it will work a treat here in Scotland, also Phil could you please tell me were i could buy a material clip for my Regal Vice pal.
Happy new year and tight lines all the best Peter.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Peter, I hope it works for you as well. As for the Regal clip, your best bet would be to reach out directly to Regal. If it helps tell them I recommended for you to do so.
Cheers, Phil

[@Pete.108]

Thanks Phil will do and keep the top fly patterns comming.

[@sallysanderson3627]

Does this sink with the glass bead to get to bottom

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Sally, great question.
Yes, this fly will sink, but not as fast as one tied using a brass or tungsten bead. As this fly features a slim, smooth profile it will slice through the water faster than one featuring dubbing or hackle. Bushy materials slow a fly's sink rate. Presentation choice also influences sink rate. If you present this fly using a sinking line the sink rate of the line will also help sink the fly. If you are using a floating line, either with or without an indicator, you can accelerate the sink rate of the fly by integrating a swivel into your leader, adding a small split shot or nontoxic tungsten putty. If legal, adding dropper flies to your leader will also accelerate the overall sink rate.
Most often I fish this fly as is and wait for the fly to sink to the level I wish to target, usually with bloodworm patterns this is within a foot or so of the bottom. The slow sink rate also allows me to use slow natural retrieves when I am not suspending this fly underneath a strike indicator.
I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks, Phil

[@bendoutdoors1020]

Excellent fly! Where is this best fished in the water column? Seems like as close to the bottom as possible?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi, you are correct chironomid bloodworm or larva patterns are best fished just above the bottom. But there are times such as after a strong wind when they will be pulled from the tube homes they construct along the bottom. In these instances, you can have good luck fishing larval patterns mid-depth.
Thanks, Phil