Russ, those are the finest example of a hellgramite I've ever seen!!!!
Smallie will climb all over them! And Crappies, Perch and trout.
I've had some of my best days on lakes with "mites" so don't worry
where they live(streams) the fish love them. And yes they do pinch!!!!!!
I used to sell them in my tackle shop when I could get them and the guys just loved em!!! I hated to handle them though and have many pinches
to my credit. The secret is they go dormant in very cool water, that's the time to pack them, if you value your hands
Where did you buy the raffia??