Thread: Michigan wiggler

i
i had to throw this in. winter steelie here in mich. looks just like a big crappie jig. its 1/32oz. #6 2x strong hook
tipped with berkley trout worm. drifting under a float.
Kurt from brimfisherjigs.com tied me that jig, before i had materials to tie my own.

here's a real wiggler
hard to dispute which way is better to tie a wiggler. none of them look that much like a real one anyway. its going to take more then which way to tie a tail to make it look like the real thing.

If you google wiggler fly there are some that have closer colors.

Skip

this is a native mich. wiggler.

Originally Posted by skiptomylu

If you google wiggler fly there are some that have closer colors.

Skip

Yup, those are the guys! I used to carry them in my vest in a baby food jar. Had to keep the pocket warm with an old school hand warmer (ran on zippo fluid) to keep the bottle from freezing. Used to keep hundreds of them in my fridge! Hands down best bait for Steelie fishing the wintertime.

I don't beleive the "Michigan Wiggler" fly was ever invented or tied to represent the real thing. I think it was just a name that stuck! I really beleive that the fly looks similar in appearance when running down the stream against the bottom. It has the hazy appearence of a wiggler with the hackle. The colors were provided to add interest. More than anything, I think it floats like a wiggler hence the reason for the name!

yeah, that makes sence. whatever tie job catches the fish is whats important.

Dave Richey originated the fly I guess in the late 60s or early 70s. It imitates a Hex. nymph.We have the same nymph in Pa. It emerges in August. To my knowledge there is the picture taken from outer space of a cloud that was a May Fly hatch! There is a full name but can not spell it correctly Hexagenia

Fantastic job!