Worm Materials for Fly Tying – Squirmy Wormies & Wiggly Worms

Genuine Spirit River Squirmy Wormies – very soft worm material

The key product in this category is Spirit River Squirmy Wormies. These are the genuine, very soft and highly stretchable worm materials used for tying Squirmy Wormy and other worm patterns. The exposed ends bend easily and move freely as the fly drifts or moves through the water.

Similar-looking materials can feel noticeably firmer. If you are specifically looking for the characteristic softness of original Spirit River Squirmy Wormies, it is worth checking the brand rather than choosing only by colour or appearance.

Which worm material should you choose?

The materials in this category differ in construction and use, so they should not be treated simply as different thicknesses of the same product.

• Spirit River Squirmy Wormies – very soft, stretchy and non-tapered material with a similar diameter along its length. A good choice for Squirmy Wormy flies and other worm patterns where soft, freely moving ends are important.
• Hareline Mini Squiggle Worms – ready-made tapered worm elements for smaller worm patterns. Their tapered shape makes it easy to create fine ends in small worm imitations.
• Sybai Wiggly Worms – a completely different, very fine material made from a different type of material. With a diameter of about 0.5 mm, it is particularly useful for small larvae, fine nymphs, Bloodworm patterns and stillwater buzzers.

For other groups of synthetic materials, see our synthetic fly tying materials.

How to tie in very soft Spirit River Squirmy Wormies

Because Spirit River Squirmy Wormies are very soft, they need some care when tying them in. A fine thread or too much tension can cut through the material. I prefer to use a flat tying thread, make 2–3 controlled wraps and tighten them carefully.

Be careful when applying varnish or glue directly to the material, as some products can damage it. It is best to test the product first on a previously tied fly. I personally do not use glue with Spirit River Squirmy Wormies and secure the material by tying the finishing knot twice.

Simple and quick Squirmy Wormy patterns for beginners

Many Squirmy Wormy patterns are simple and quick to tie, which makes them a good choice even for beginners. The tying process does not require complicated techniques, while the very soft material gives the finished fly plenty of movement in the water.

See Spirit River Squirmy Wormies at the vise

The video is in Polish with English subtitles. It clearly shows the material at the vise and the tying process step by step, including how I handle the soft Squirmy material when tying this type of nymph.