Fl. Red Straggle String

Fl. Red Semperfli Straggle String Micro Chenille

Red is the color of life in a lake. Chironomid larvae, called bloodworms, carry hemoglobin that turns them bright red, and in stillwaters they’re one of the main things trout eat from ice-out through summer. Fl. Red Straggle String builds that slim, segmented body with fibers that move on the slowest retrieve. It also makes red butts, red tags, and hot spots on any pattern where a flash of red triggers a strike.

Recipe 1: Straggle Bloodworm

• Hook: Curved scud or grub hook, size 10 to 16
• Bead (optional): Black or red tungsten, 2.5 mm
• Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk, red
• Body: Fl. Red Straggle String
• Rib: Fine red or gold wire
• Head: 2 wraps of black thread or a peacock dubbing ball

Tying: Wrap a smooth thread base deep into the bend. Tie in the wire, then the Straggle String. Wind the body forward in touching turns and counter-wrap the wire to lock it in place. Trim the fibers short so the body looks segmented, finish a small dark head, and whip finish.

How to fish it: Hang it under an indicator so it sits 6 to 12 inches above the bottom or the weed tops. Bloodworms barely move, so let the wind rock the indicator and watch for the slightest dip. Best right after ice-out and in the mornings on Montana and Canadian stillwaters. Without an indicator, use a slow hand-twist retrieve on a full-sink line.

Recipe 2: Red Tag Bluegill Spider

• Hook: Wet fly or nymph hook, size 10 to 12
• Weight: 6 turns of lead-free wire, optional
• Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk, black
• Tag: Fl. Red Straggle String, 2 wraps at the bend
• Body: Black or olive chenille, or Black Straggle String
• Legs: White or black round rubber, 3 pairs

Tying: Tie in a tag of 2 Fl. Red Straggle String wraps at the bend. Tie in and wind the body forward, tying in a pair of rubber legs on each side at the rear, middle, and front. Trim the legs to about a shank length and whip finish.

How to fish it: Cast it near beds, docks, and weed edges, then let it sink on a slack line. Most strikes come on the drop, so watch the line. If nothing happens, give it two short twitches and pause. Big bull bluegill can’t stand those wiggling legs, and the red tag adds just enough flash to bring them out of cover.