Hellgrammite-Jig

Hellgrammites are the larval version of the mature Eastern Species Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus).  This larval life stage is described as being a poor swimmer, but it is a voracious predator.  Sometimes called "clippers or toe-biters", they are a large bug in larval form that are usually three to four inches long.   A big meal for a smallmouth bass... and they love 'em!  These jigs are jointed (articulated with a stinger hook), big, and nasty... just like the real Hellgrammite.  Try fishing in swifter water where most of the natural Hellgrammite’s dwell.   This is a great searching jig pattern as they are fairly ubiquitous to our Twin Tiers Rivers and streams. 

NOTE:  This pattern also imitates the 'fishfly' in the genus Nigronia, Neohermes, and Chauliodes, all distant genera to the hellgrammite.  In the Endless Mountains of PA, I  know that bass, trout, and other species of fish feed on the larval stages of the fishfly and dobsonfly. 

A hellgrammite has two-segmented lateral projections or filaments along the abdomen that have gill tufts at the base of each.  To mimic this, I use beads for the abdomen, and  tail to create a "clicking" sound of bead-versus-bead and banging against the rocks.  This ’bead-and-rock-banging’ tactic is particularly successful since smallmouth’s nearby investigate this noise and hone in on the lure since they have difficulty seeing the prey in turbid water.  It’s important to remember the nature of this bug.  It shuns the light, waits until near darkness to become active, and prefers the fast well-oxygenated portions of riffles.  But bass eat hellgrammite’s as much as crayfish!  The simple design of ice chenille incorporated with the segmented thorax and tail beads along with realistic coloration closely matches the shape, shine, and movement action of this bottom-dwelling insect. 



The etymology of the word hellgrammite is said to be obscure as is the origin of dobsonfly.  According to The Century Dictionary, the meaning of the words, hellgrammite and dobsonfly were both assigned by fisherman because the larval stage was commonly used as bait.  it is thought that the word hellgrammite might be a compound of hell plus grim (fierce, cruel) plus the suffix, ite (creature, being).

JJ’s Hellgrammite Jig aka "Dave’s Dobsonfly Jig" is one of the best bass patterns to have in your tacklebox anywhere in the world.  The bottom line is the following -  When dobsonfly or fishfly populations are abundant in the stream or river you fish, choosing the Hellgrammite Jig will be a very effective way to imitate a hellgrammite or flshfly larva that will get the attention of the species of fish you desire to catch. 

This jig will excite you when you see the results it brings!