Green Weenie

The Green Weenie is technically a nymph. Actually, it is a fly that mimics the sourwood worm in this chartreuse color. This fly is so easy to tie, we start our beginner fly tying students on this pattern. We do keep in mind, that these students will also catch trout and other species on the Green Weenie. It is a great bluegill and shellcracker fly

We have found this fly to be one of the best Summer patterns to use in the Southern Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I am not in any way over emphasizing the effectiveness of the Green Weenie. This fly has saved the day for me many times. Customers have had the same result. This is a great trout catcher, especially for rainbow and brook trout.

Lefty Kreh was in our store one time and told me he wrote about the Green Weenie. He included it in an article called something like, “Ten Best Trout Flies”. He also said he ties it in red. Lefty flew home then called back a few days later and ordered some red Ultra Chenille to tie his favorite color. Maybe we need to try red!

Joe Humphreys was also in our store one day discussing this fly with me. We all think Joe’s friend, George Harvey developed this pattern. Joe Humphreys told me that the loop gave the fly action in the water. I didn’t know that.

Fly fishermen use this fly in many different ways. Some simply fish the fly without weight, near the surface. I have always added weight, usually one #6 split shot about 4” above the fly. It can be used as a dropper under a dry fly. It can be fished weighted with a strike indicator. Or you can weight the fly and fish it deep without a strike indicator. I highly recommend this fly as one of the best for fishing during the Summer. I would not go fishing in our streams here without several of them. This fly is tied on a #12 size hook.

Byron Begley

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Little River Outfitters is a fly shop and mail order company located in Townsend, Tennessee, a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have been family owned since 1994.