hellgrammites?

[Ron Burgundy]

Does anybody use hellgrammites for trout and smallies? When, where, and how are they best used? Live or plastic? I'm just trying new things besides Rapalas and spinners.

[The Grebe]

I would have to say plastic! Have tried the real deal and got a good pinch for my efforts! Lost that one on the first cast when it crawled under a rock!

The second one was a copy of the first and thus, my career as a hellgramite fisherman came to a close....aside from them wicked pinchers, I did'nt like the looks of those little bristles on their heads anyways!

[Flash King]

Terrific bait(where naturally found) for trout and Smallmouths. Natural ones can be a bit tricky to use, hook under the collar using a light! fly hook and work them under a light bobber.Due to their scarity and price,I've been trying out mini plastic ones the past 2 years and they work but you have to sweeten them up a bit(I keep them in a jar of garlic liquid) and give them some action.I thread mono through the body 2/3 of the way,slide a small bead on the line and attach a small treble.I've caught numbers of trout,SM bass,Steelhead and salmon on ths rigging.

Good Luck - Good Fishing

[tie flyer]

Yeah, they've got some jaws!

Word has it that the wooly bugger fly was designed to imitate a hellgrammite.