Welcome to Fly Tying Tuesday
Jig Bomb San Juan – Fast-Sinking Classic with a Modern Twist
Simple, effective, and irresistible to trout — the Jig Bomb San Juan takes the classic San Juan Worm and supercharges it with a tungsten jig bomb bead. The result? A fly that sinks quickly, rides hook point up to avoid snags, and produces fish year-round. It imitates aquatic worms dislodged during high water or washed into rivers after rain, making it a deadly pattern in both dirty and clear flows. Fish it under an indicator, Euro-style, or as a lead fly in a nymph rig. Quick to tie, durable, and highly effective, this is one worm pattern every angler should have in their box.
Let’s Tie, see Kyle in action in the video!
Materials Used: (all available at AvidMax)
- Hook: Fulling Mill FM1167 Super Heavyweight Grub Hook – Size 12
- Bead: Umpqua Radiant Tungsten Jig Bomb – Red 3.5mm
- Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk – Red
- Body: Hareline Velvet Chenille – San Juan Red
- Adhesive: Loctite Ultra Gel Control
Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
Step 1: Slide on the bead: Place the Umpqua Radiant Tungsten Jig Bomb bead on the hook and secure the hook in your vise.
Step 2: Start the Thread: Using Semperfli Nano Silk in red, start your thread directly behind the bead and lay down a smooth thread base toward the bend.
Step 3: Attach the chenille: Cut a section of Hareline Velvet Chenille. Tie it in at the bend of the hook, securing it firmly with thread wraps.
Step 4: Build the body: Stretch the chenille slightly as you wrap it forward over the shank, creating a slim and even body. Stop just behind the bead.
Step 5: Secure & finish: Tie off the chenille behind the bead, trim excess, and whip finish.
Step 6: Lock it in: Add a small drop of Loctite Ultra Gel Control at the tie-off point for durability.
Fishing Tips
High Water & Dirty Flows: Perfect when rising water dislodges worms into the current.
Euro Nymphing: Use as a heavy anchor fly to get your rig down quickly.
Indicator Rigs: Run it deep under an indicator in slower seams and pools.
Year-Round Confidence Fly: Trout rarely pass up a worm pattern, especially in off-color water.
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
