Fly Fishing - Maggot Fly (blowfly Larvae) Step by Step

Yummy… necrophagous larvae, or maggots, of the blowfly. The larvae of many species of fly feed on dead tissue. Is it disgusting?
Not. It is part of Nature. This is highly useful as an ecosystem service as they very effectively clean up any carrion that is missed or left over any from larger scavengers.

As far as I know maggot (blowfly larvae) is widely used - here around it is quite common - as bait for fishing. Mostly for bream or carp.
I wondered if I can use this larvae in fly fishing or nymph fishing.

The first question was if it is natural food of fishes. Looking after information about life and habits of blowfly, I can easily imagine situations where blowfly larvae can fall in water from carrion. Some possible cases: nest between branches of a riverside tree/bush with dead nestlings, or drowned wild animals stuck between branches after a flood.

So the answer was yes, it is natural food of fishes. I guess it isn't as common food as stone-fly nymphs or such, but it is definitely an easy energy source for them if a mentioned case happen.

So lets try to tie it.

See picture:
- Size #14 scud type hook
- Lead foil
- UNI-Thread 3/0, White (I used previously UNI-Strech thread, both are good)
- Black and yellow permanent markers (waterproof ones)
- Clear nail polish or UV resin
- Fly tying vice and bobbin

Make a thread base.
Cut a small stripe of lead foil.
Wrap it on hook.
Cover/fix it with thread.

Optional: secure it with super glue.

I use the thread itself for forming the body.
I still have aversions to "waste" it like this, but I tried in vain to replace with something else.

So form its body with pointed taper at its tail, and blunter taper at its head. Do not make the final form, leave it a bit slim at first.
Finish at its tail.
Color it with yellow marker all over.

Now the trick comes: start cover slightly the yellow body with thread towards its head. Make some "ribs" as sections, where yellow is covered better.
Whip finish at the head.

Another trick: rub your finger on a dirty surface (side of shoe will do it) and touch/gently rub the back of the fly. It gives another color and contrast to the "ribs".

Color its head with black marker.
Cover the whole body with clear nail polish or UV resin (cure it).
When it hardens clean the hook eye and ... go fishing. Take your kids with you..

I hope this fly brings you some happy moments and you can catch a lot of fishes with it.