Emaciated Worms

by Mark Larkin
(SE Arizona)

Been keiryu fishing for the last couple of years and love it. From big rivers, to small ponds, to tiny headwater creeks, it is really a fun way to fish. I mostly use red wigglers that I raise in a Les A. inspired worm ranch. They are great for bass and bluegill in the low country and trout in the high country. An issue I sometimes have is, while the worms are in good shape when I fill my bait box from the worm ranch, they are about twice as long and very skinny by the time I get to use them on the water. Often so skinny I have problems getting them on the hook (usually a Gamakatsu R 10 B, size 12, which is a pretty light hook). I use soil from the worm ranch in the bait box, and often keep the box and worms in the fridge or a cooler until I use them. Anybody else having these problems?

Mark Larkin
SE Arizona

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.