How to Tie a Hellgrammite Fly

The Hellgrammite fly, also known as the Delaware River Hellgrammite fly, is a nymph pattern fly. It primarily targets freshwater bass but is also effective with rainbow and brook trout. Use a short line with slow and deep nymphing technique to cover the entire length of water riffles with short drifts. Coupled with a split-shot for more weight, this fly is quite versatile and very productive.

Things You'll Need

  • Streamer hook
  • Black thread lead wire 6/0
  • Fine black rubber
  • Black closed-cell foam, 1/16-inch
  • Black rooster hackle
  • Olive chenille
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the black thread and wrap it along both sides of the hook shank 3/16 inch from the eye, extending to halfway between the hook's point and barb.

    • 2

      Take the black rubber and tie in two pieces at the top of the hook and two pieces toward the eye of the hook to make the pincher and the tail.

    • 3

      Return the black thread to the tail and tie in the chenille. Continue and attach the hackle feather by tying with the underside of the feather facing forward, across the hook's top.

    • 4

      Pull the hackle feather forward and wrap the thread in spiral through the barbs to a point at three-fifths of the length of the shank. Make extra wraps to secure the feather and then cut off any excess feather.

    • 5

      Cut a width of 1/4-inch foam strip and then tie on the top of the hook, along with three pairs of rubber legs underneath. Position the rubber legs in front of the foam.

    • 6

      Tie the chenille forward through the hackle feather and pass the legs just behind the hook eye. Make two extra wraps to secure the chenille and snip off the excess. Pull the foam forward and tighten it just behind the eye. Whip-finish to make a small head without cutting the pincher.

    • 7

      Slightly bend the fly's thorax and trim the tails, legs, pincher and gills to desired length. Leave a little extra length to increase movement.