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Muddy water?  Try fishing a San Juan Worm.  Yes they are ugly, but man do they catch fish here.  Even if the water does not cloud up, any type of rainy day seems to get fish to look for these flies.  This is an easy way to tie a durable San Juan.

Materials:  Heavy nymph hook (I like size 14), bead head size 1/8, micro chenille (red and pink are the popular colors).

  Pre-cut chenille into pieces and set aside.

Thread 1/8 bead onto bobbin threader (thread all that you are planning on using instead of doing them one by one.  This saves a ton of time)


Place chenille into tip of threader letting very little tag end hang off.

Slide bead onto chenille (you can use a couple beads if you want them to really sink)

Put bead on hook (remember to put the point through the smaller bead opening, otherwise you cover the eye and can not use the fly.  I tied a batch last night and was not paying attention.  Had to use the razor this morning and start over!)

Place hook in vise, secure chenille to hook, whip finish.

Use candle or lighter to melt tips of worm to keep the fly from fraying (this candle helps make the fly shop smell good!)

That's it.  Simple fly to tie, and on days where the water is stained or muddy, these simply catch fish.