Gut Bomb Bloodworm

A bright red chironomid larva imitation that matches the bloodworms trout gorge on in lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers. Bloodworms live in the silt and mud at the bottom, and their vivid red color — caused by hemoglobin in their bodies — makes them easy for trout to spot and target. This fly replicates that color and the segmented body profile perfectly.

Stillwater anglers know: when nothing's hatching on the surface and the lake looks dead, trout are almost certainly eating chironomid larvae near the bottom. The Gut Bomb Bloodworm is your answer for those quiet days when patience and the right fly are the only things that produce.

When to Fish It

Year-round in stillwater, but especially effective in spring and fall when chironomid activity peaks. Fish it deep under an indicator with a very slow hand-twist retrieve, or let it sit static just off the bottom. On rivers, dead-drift it through slow pools and soft water where chironomid larvae accumulate. Use 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet for the most natural presentation.

Specs

• Type: Nymph — Chironomid larva / bloodworm imitation
• Hook: Curved hook, fine wire
• Weight: Light — fish with split shot or below a weighted fly
• Best for: Trout — lakes, reservoirs, ponds, slow rivers
• Technique: Indicator nymphing in stillwater, dead-drift in rivers

Why Anglers Stock This Fly

Chironomids are the most abundant insect in most stillwater environments, and their larvae (bloodworms) are available to trout every single day. Having a realistic bloodworm pattern is non-negotiable for lake anglers. The Gut Bomb's translucent red body and clean segmentation are what make it work — cheap imitations with opaque bodies don't fool fish the same way. Hand-tied with quality materials by tiers with over 30 years of experience.

🎣 Fish stillwater? Browse our full Stillwater Flies collection for more lake-proven patterns.