Author Topic: Vladi Worm (Read 2312 times)

Chris Smith · « **on:** December 14, 2009, 01:50:05 PM »

I have a question for those of you who use the Vladi worm extensively...

I fished a stretch of water known for big fish yesterday (i.e. see Josh Almond's blog post). As the water was up and stained, I threw on the Vladi worm to get down and deep.

Long story short, I hooked and landed a lot of big fish, but consistently lost big fish on the Vladi worm. I didn't have this problem with the other patterns in my box.

I have a strong feeling it was the hook itself, but wondered, given the pattern rides hook up, would this impact hook sets or playing fish in any way, shape, or form?

What hook choices are there in tieing the Vladi worm?

Chris Michels · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:06:29 PM »

What hook are you using to tie these?

I don't think it has to do with the way the hook rides through the water. I've seen some people tie the condom too far down the hook, and that will cause you to lose fish for sure.

Check out our blog with a tip on how to tie these with the super sweet skalka streamer hook.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:07:36 PM »

I haven't had a problem with losing fish with the vladi but it is a big heavy fly so when the fish shakes its head it can get some leverage and toss it.

I use a TMC 300 on the ones that I sell and have used a lot of these my self with no problem.

You can also use the Daiichi 1770 or 1870. http://www.wflies.com/hooks.html

You can also use the Skalka streamer hook but you have to heat it to bend it. http://creekaddict.com/?p=1252

Chris Smith · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:15:04 PM »

Thanks for the response guys. I'll take a look at the tutorial.

Josh Almond · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:41:51 PM »

Chris,

I use the daiihi 1870 swimming larva hook, I put an offset in it though as the short hook point scares me. It has held fish to my liking with this offset. I do want to know what size vladi you are using and what scent powerbait you are soaking it in to make it work on that river!

Chris Smith · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:51:46 PM »

Hey Josh! I stopped in the shop yesterday to say hey. Sorry I missed you.

It's the same Vladi I showed you at the Rumble, and it brought out the big nasties! High water helped a ton, I'm sure.

Josh Almond · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2009, 03:42:06 PM »

Yeh i got to sneak out of the shop saturday and headed back to the flatland to watch the UFC fight

Kevin Compton · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2009, 07:14:41 AM »

Another barbless option: The DOHIKU Streamer Hook #6. I bend this hook with pliers -- no heat. The hook wire is stouter than both the Daiichis and the Skalkas. The last time I tied the worm I bent 50 hooks and broke 1. They held up well on Colorado's Blue River with the large, New Zealand-strain rainbows along Jurassic Park.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:24:32 AM »

Many thanks Kevin. Chances are good I won't be able to sneak in a torch to bend the hooks. I may have to give these a try.

Brandon Alexander · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:28:10 AM »

The long shank on most Vladi tiies tends to pry themselves loose during battle.Like Trout Beads when they slide down,acts as a lever. I tie mine on Owner Mutu Light Wire circle hooks. Only fish I ever lost on it was a HOT!! Steelie that ran right at me so I never got the hook set solid.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:59:36 AM »

WOW! 50 and broke 1! I don't have that kind of luck with the Tiemco's even (sometimes they just snap when you bend them). Great tip Kevin.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2009, 10:21:25 AM »

Nice a barbless alternative that won't cause me to burn the house down.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2009, 10:25:07 AM »

Hey! I said a cup of water was a nessacary tool for the job for putting fires out!

Rich Strolis · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2009, 10:32:31 AM »

Quote from: KevCompton on December 17, 2009, 07:14:41 AM

Another barbless option: The DOHIKU Streamer Hook #6. I bend this hook with pliers -- no heat. The hook wire is stouter than both the Daiichis and the Skalkas. The last time I tied the worm I bent 50 hooks and broke 1. They held up well on Colorado's Blue River with the large, New Zealand-strain rainbows along Jurassic Park.

Kev,
You have these hooks in stock? I would like to get some they look very nice.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2009, 01:05:29 PM »

Here are some Worms I tied up last night. I really man handled these Knapek size 1 Streamer hooks with 2 pairs of needle nose pliers and they held nicely. Put them into action tomorrow and test their fish holding prowess.

Have to work on cleaning up the "butt" end, but otherwise they came out pretty sexy. I've discovered that laying down a complete base of Florescent thread is essential to getting that vibrant, unified finished color.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:11:05 PM »

Nice flies Dejon. Those things are bright. If you don't wrap the latex to the end of the fly until the last pass you get a nice taper.

Kevin Compton · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2009, 09:04:06 PM »

Rich,

Yes, the Streamer #6 is in stock as is the new Scud/Grub hook in size #8. The rest of the range is also on hand and can be seen here:

http://www.flydk.sk/html/dohiku_barbless__hooks.html

Just drop me a note at info@performanceflies.com. Thanks.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2009, 09:01:04 AM »

The Vladis performed flawlessly yesterday. I didn't lose a single fish hooked on one and they were some spunky rainbows in the 15" class.

I tend to think if the hook makes it through the benchside bending process it will perform on the stream.

Rich Strolis · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2009, 09:08:58 AM »

Thanks Kev,
I will probably order some up after the new year....christmas shopping has the funds drained...

Mike Norton · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2009, 03:04:50 PM »

Dejon or anyone for that matter know of a place that has tying instructions for this. I seen it once before but really didnt pay attn to it and the thought at that time of using a condom for anything else just wasnt on my mind but now i see that they seem to be a very very effective pattern and would like to add some to my flybox..
thanks in advance
mike

Chris Michels · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2009, 03:19:55 PM »

http://creekaddict.com/?p=1252

You can see it on our site. Most hooks are able to be bent without heat. If you are using the skalkas, definitely use heat.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:41:28 PM »

You can get needlenose pliers at a craft store (I got mine at Walmart) that have round noses. These pliers will facilitate a smoother bend. You can also find Daiichi 1870 hooks at
http://wflies.com/hooks.html . I'm not sure how well they work though.