It's no secret that steelhead have an attraction to "the pink worm." Float fishermen have been using soft plastics for years, and doing very well. But there is something about the pink rubber worm that seems to drive steelhead crazy.

A few years ago I began experimenting with the standard San Juan Worm tied in brilliant colors like pink, chartreuse, and orange. As expected they all took fish, with pink being best. However, I was never satisfied that they were large enough after watching numerous float fishermen take fish on 6" worms. Troubling to me was that tying a long San Juan Worm failed as it was obviously too wispy.

Thus my "Super Juan." Yes, it works.

MATERIALS

Hook: Mustad C068 or C49S

Thread: Pink

Body: Furled Standard-size Hot Pink Vernille or Ultra Chenille

Place barbless hook in your vise.

Lay a base of thread that covers the hook.

Select a foot-long section of pink vernille.

Secure it by one end behind the eye and secure to back to the bend with open, even wraps of thread. Once at the end, make three wraps on top of each other to keep the vernille on top of the hook.

Grasp the exposed vernille by the tip and twist it in one direction until it wants to twist upon itself (but do not let it twist upon itself).

Double the vernille around your scissors (or bodkin) so that a loop of about 3-inches in length is formed.

Pinch the doubled vernille to the rear of the hook and secure it with 3 tight thread wraps.

Let go of the loop and you'll see as the vernille furls upon itself.

Secure the excess vernille up the hook on top of the shank, again with even and open thread wraps. End at the hook eye.

Repeat the furling process in the front. Bind the loop to the hook just behind the eye.

Form a collar on the worm. Whip finish and cement.

A finished 6" LW's Super Juan.