San Juan Worm

Typical San Juan Worms

Life Cycle = Worm throughout lifecycle
Size 3-8 cm (1-3 in)
Colors Brown, Tan, Dark Flesh, Light Flesh, Peach
Action Wiggles as it floats through the water.  Crawls through silty bottom.
Habitat Lives in the Moss and Silt.  Feeds on decaying organic matter.   Aquatic worms can live underwater without any oxygen (unlike typical earthworms)
Notes Often kicked up by wading anglers and when flows are increased and the bottom is disturbed. 
Fly Patterns
  • Ultra Chenille San Juan Worm (Burnt Orange, Tan, Dark Flesh, Light Flesh, Brown) tied on short shank hook with ends hanging off.
  • Realistic Worm (same colors plus sparkle worm) tied on curved hook.
  • Chamois Worm (tan, orange, red, natural) tied on short shank hook with ends hanging off.

Select the Fly Patterns link  for recipes and pictures of the patterns.