[Brad Niemeyer]

This is my LMB version of the wiggler...It's about time for some warm water action... For those not familiar with the wiggler: this fly dives and wiggles, a bit like a rapala lure when fished with long strips on a sinking line...then it pops back to the surface ( if not hammered first!)

 

[Nick Clayton]

That's a really neat looking pattern. Thanks for sharing.

Is that layers of foam on the top? I can't quite tell on my phone

 

[Brad Niemeyer]

Yep, 3 layers laminated with Super 77 adhesive.

 

[generic]

If you can get it to "wobble", not spin, you'll make millions!

In all seriousness, everyone that I've had, just spins.

That said... I'm probably tying the wrong knot to it...

 

[plaegreid]

I wanna try a smaller version for our trout lakes this summer. Should do work.

 

[Cold]

If you can get it to "wobble", not spin, you'll make millions!

In all seriousness, everyone that I've had, just spins.

That said... I'm probably tying the wrong knot to it...

Knot-wise, anything I tie on that's designed to swim and is larger than #10 gets a non-slip mono loop. If you're not using it on a fly like this, I'd recommend it.

For the spinning, first, make sure you're fishing a fly like this with strips, not a continuous retrieve. If you're still getting spinning, maybe try adding some "lateral stabilizers" to the tie...some sort of stiff projections out to either side like airplane wings...bucktail or standard deer hair, maybe some sort of synthetic...

Or just make the foam itself wider.

 

[Mark Mercer]

Tried these a few years ago and a non slip loop knot is key. They wiggle good but I didn't like casting them, every time you try and pull it up to recast they just wanted to dive. I also had some spinning problems while casting so I gave up on them, didn't think they were worth the effort, at least for me, even tried some for saltwater cutts with limited success. I think they were originally tied for warm water fishing and think they would be better for that, if you can tolerate casting them.

Yours is much cooler looking then the ones I tied.

 

[Brad Niemeyer]

Balance is key to the wobble. Tie on a long shank hook and make your lip cut absolutely square. The lip surface is covered in hard as nails. Definitely a "special occasion" fly that works best for warm water. I find it works better than a popper. For trout in rivers, it's great in low light (swing it near a big log). Casting it can be a chore. It does like to dive when pulled. I add a super small barrel swivel and the tangles are gone.

This fly is just fun to fish....

 

[Brad Niemeyer]

Trout version tied smaller than the bass version. Smaller size casts better. Don't forget the tiny barrel swivel.

Trout wiggler

• Brad Niemeyer
• May 22, 2011

 

[GAT]

I've tried them and I'm honestly too lazy to retrieve them at a pace that generates a flat-fish effect... however, some guys use them with great success -- even for steelhead!

They use barrel swivels to keep the pattern from spinning during the retrieve.

 

[blackbird]

This is my LMB version of the wiggler...It's about time for some warm water action... For those not familiar with the wiggler: this fly dives and wiggles, a bit like a rapala lure when fished with long strips on a sinking line...then it pops back to the surface ( if not hammered first!)

View attachment 115385

The long hook on these creates a lot of leverage.
I liked tying a version I created on a tube, so the wiggler body did not provide leverage.

for trolling with kids, using a sinking line along the bottom, buoyant pattern floating above the bottom, I could use a circle hook, and then hook setting or keeping a tight line were no longer so critical, for kids landing the fish.

I agree, getting ones that don't spin is a hit and miss issue sometimes.

its cool that the foam records teeth marks, proving bites.

Jay