Waxy the Waxworm

Have you grown tired of watching centerpin anglers in the winter months drift waxworms under a bobber and catch all the steelhead? Waxy is your answer. I have heard conflicting reports about what a waxworm actually is, but have come to the conclusion that it is the larvae of the Pyralidae moth. In the wild, these creatures live as nest parasites in wasp and bee colonies where they eat the cocoons, pollen, shed skins and wax. Fish love ‘em but they probably won’t ever see them in their natural environment unless they fall from a hive positioned near the water’s edge. That being said, Waxy is also a good imitation of caddis and cranefly larvae. Dead drift it under an indicator or high stick nymph (Euro nymphing) it for the best results. She is effective on trout, steelhead, bass, panfish and carp.

MATERIALS LIST

• Hook: TMC2499SP
• Thread: 14/0 Veevus
• Legs: Japanese legs
• Body: Virtual Nymph Skin translucent cream
• Racing stripe: MFC Minnow Skin pearl
• Ribbing: 3/0 Mono thread
• Waterproof markers: color to suit
• Finishing adhesive: Deer Creek UV resin

1. Wrap .020 lead wire from mid point of the shank, halfway around the bend.
2. Build a thread base at the rear and front of the lead wire to create a taper
3. To create each set of legs, take a pair of fine needle nose pliers and bend the end of the Japanese leg in the shape of a U.
4. Secure this first set of legs at the hooks half way point (where the thread and lead meet) using a criss-cross method.
5. Create the next set of legs using the same process. Secure in place ahead of the first set.
6. Create the last set and secure in place just to the rear of the hook eye.
7. Apply super glue to the underside of the hook to set legs in place.
8. Advance the thread to the rear of the hook.
9. Cut one end of an 1/8th inch strip of Minnow Skin (pearl) to a point and secure in place.
10. Tie in a length of 3/0 Mono thread on the opposite side of the shank to the tier.
11. Take a strip of Virtual Nymph Nymph Skin translucent cream and cut one end at an angle. Secure just ahead of the Minnow Skin.
12. Take the Nymph Skin and slightly stretch it for the first wrap and lessen the stretch slightly, advancing it forward to the eye. Secure in place. Hint: The back edge of the next wrap should be placed at the halfway point of the previous wrap.
13. Each set of legs should end up at the center of each of the last 3 wraps of Nymph Skin. Getting the spacing proper may take a little practice.
14. With slight stretch, pull the Minnow Skin over entire length of Waxy and secure in place behind the hook eye at the head.
15. Palmer the Mono forward, placing each wrap in the segments. Secure in place at the eye.
16. Mark and blend to your liking and artistic ability, using waterproof markers.
17. Apply a coat of Deer Creek UV Resin. I like to run it along the racing stripe and on the tip of each leg.

Dave Hise is the owner of Casters Fly Shop in Hickory, NC. Dave is also the most innovative junk food fly tyer of our generation. In other words, we admire his junk.