A simple and effective "grub worm" from a rubber band

[Donald Schmotzer]

 I hope you folks aren't getting tired of me, but with warm weather coming on, here is another of my favorites that is simple to make. When you find a bunch of Gills grouped around a bunch of rocks, or under a dock in the shade, this "grub" can net you a Gill on almost every cast. I love to fish a size 14 on my little TXL 0wt. Buy an assortment of rubber bands (different thickness and colors) and a bottle of "HARD-AS-NAILS" and you are good to go. Use your imagination (ie) different colors of thread and rubber bands / you will be well rewarded. ( I like black or red thread along with white,natural, yellow or red rubber bands. You can add a small Marabou tail if you like and plastic floss will work if you don't have any rubber bands..........The bands work best.....................Don in SC

 

  Simple works..........I can't remember where I saw this on the web, but this is a really simple fly that looks real. 

  01.  A small sharp hook (a wet/nymph works fine) size your choice
  02. A few wraps of lead wire (I used .010)
  03. A rubber band (cut)
  04. Black thread (I used 8/0)
  05. Sally Hanson "hard-as-nails"
  That's it.
                 Put down a thread base
                 A few wraps of lead wire (about midway on the hook)
                 Put a little "hard as nails" over the wire then over-wrap with thread
                 Cut the rubber band loop and tie in half-way down the hook bend
                 Stretch and wrap the rubber band along the hook overlapping as you go forward
                 Tie-off the rubber band just short of the hook eye
                 Wrap a head with the black thread......and whip-finish                 Coat the entire fly with "hard-as-nails" and let dry.............That's it, very easy and looks very real......Take a look..............
   
   
    And it works..............

   In this picture, the flies at the top and bottom were tied with thread,lead wire, and rubberbands (the ones on either side of the dime were tied with floss.
  
   I lost a couple bass on the size 14 curved hooks, so I tied a few in larger sizes.........10/ 8/ 6/ and one 2x size 6 (like 14's-8's)  best overall
 
  
                

 

 

[dick tabbert]

Don I can only speak for myself but sure most will agree we love to see new things and what might not be new to one person might be new to others so please post away. Educating is an important part of the site and we love your offerings. THANKS MUCH.....

[Bob Parker]

I agree with Dick Tabbert, about education being important.  Love your offerings.  Please don't stop sending them.

Bob Parker

[JBplusThuy]

These are really cool and maybe within my mediocre tying skills :-p

Thanks for posting!

[Jim Gronaw]

I'm gonna' tie some of these up for the shallow gill season! Thanks a bunch!

[Vince Fusco]

First of all, thank you for sharing this fly, Donald. These are something that I would feel comfortable trying to tie. Being a newbe tyer, any pictures/ instructions describing how to tie a fly or bug is very helpful to me. 

[chris kowaleski]

When you say tie in the rubber band, do you tie it in a knot then wrap it?

[Donald Schmotzer]

  No......just cut dia across one side of the rubber band. Now the band is one straight piece with a sharp angle on each end.  Hold the point of one end about half way around the bend of the hook and wrap it with thread......several tight wraps to make sure it will hold when you streach and wrap the band "overlapping" as you go forward. Tie off the loose end just short of the hook eye and wrap a thread head between the band and the hook eye. Whip finish and paint the entire fly with "hard as nails. (BE SURE your hook is locked tight in the vise before you start wrapping the band around the hook)..........When I get time, I will try to post a video on Youtube and place a link here............Hope this helps...........Don in SC

[chris kowaleski]

Thanks for the response, shortly after i posted that i figured out what it meant and got one tied up. I'll post a picture soon. And thank you for posting this!

[Vince Fusco]

Just tied 3 of those grubs on a curved shank #10 hook, and for a first try they came out pretty good. Good enough to fool a farsited gill anyhow! Thanks again, Donald for the instructions. 

[Donald Schmotzer]

You are welcome Vince.......I still plan on doing a video, just been so busy I haven't set it up yet....Don in SC

[Dale Craft]

I tie mine using a small black bead for the head.  Gave some to some kids one day using regular tackle. the had a ball "fly fishing" using a bobber.  They caught bluegills on the flies when they were not catching any on live bait.

[Tinknocker1]

hey loop great look'n grub buddie :)