Intricacy of Midges
- This topic has 23 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated Mar 5, 2009 at 2:28 pm by
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I’m preparing for my trip out west this weekend.
Been tying up lots of tiny flies, including midges.I’ve been looking at various midge patterns all over the internets. Some are basic like thread flies, and some are really detailed. My question is does the intricacy of these patterns really matter to the fish? These flies are small enough that I don’t think the fish will notice.
From zebra midges to juju patterns, disco midges etc. Some are basic but most have lots of micro details worked in.
How important is the ribbing, bling, or other “flare” added to these flies in their success?
Rob,
I’m certainly not an authority but I have a couple of years of midge fishing under my belt at this point, and I’ve also done a good deal of reading on the subject. I’d say getting the proportions and color to be accurate for the stage you’re trying to immitate is probably the most important thing (larva vs. pupa vs. emerger etc.) I’m curious to hear what some of the oher guys thoughts are.
Here’s an awesome article on the subject:
http://flyfisherman.com/rmwest/rpmidges/index1.html
JL
Paging Cameron Mortenson . . .
In the mean time, enjoy this article http://www.flyfishohio.com/Fly_Box_Porn_Cameron.htm
I am “pretty good” at midge fishing but not enough to comment with authority.
Rob,
This is an interesting question and I’m excited to hear what other have to say about it. As with any other pattern, I feel that size and color are much more important than the intricate details. That being said, the details do make a difference. I’ve encountered situations where a silver wire rib makes all the difference, or a flashback is catching fish when the same pattern without a flashback is not. I personally like to add a flashback or a rib to my midge patterns. They are both simple additions that improve the pattern, in my opinion. Beyond that, I don’t get to technical with the micro-enhancements. I’ll see if I can find some pictures to post.
It’s also important to note that sometimes a pattern that is more plain outperforms other patterns. A simple red thread midge has definitely caught it’s fair share of fish.
-Tim
i started to tie some more detailed midges. we’ll see if the bling variable makes a difference.
had to break out the renzetti to do this. does this thread now belong in fly tying?
48 hours till my flight !
Andy Kim down on the San Juan does a nice job with midges.
I have been using one of his patterns acalled the Jong Special for the past year or so. Coats and Clark makes a thread he likes that I use. It has a braided texture to it that seems to help with the segmentation.
The hardest part seems to be gaining confidence in a size 24 fly. Huge fish will eat them, but fishermen are hesitant to use them. I tie a size 30 midge that works well on the tailwater I fish, but I don’t know if you need to go that small out west.
Good luck
Rob,
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in that area and I would recommend tying some Deep Blue Poison Tungs.
Rob,
I would definately have some mercury midges both in white/cream copper rib and in black with a silver rib for alll the rivers you will be on. Don’t forget the egg patterns either. The local favorites are otter’s eggs. Good combos are 4 mm eggs followed by a #20-26 larva or mercury midge. Oh yea, RS2s are a must!!!
In some cases, you might need to go down to 26-28 size midges. These fish see a lot of flies everyday, so yes, the smallest detail may make the difference and these fish do notice. If you are fishing #22s and fish are seeing #26s, chances are you won’t be hooking up. Trust me, I have seen it out here. Remember though, it all goes back to presentain and drift. If you can do that correctly, you chances do go up, even with a huge # 20 on the line. 😉
Hope this helps.
Juan
P.S.–The fly is called a Yong Special, otherwise know as a UFO on the San Juan.
In terms of “bling”, I have done better on Zebra Midges where I counter-rib below the wire with a single strand of pearl flashabou than midges without the flash.
Andy Kim down on the San Juan does a nice job with midges.
I have been using one of his patterns acalled the Jong Special for the past year or so. Coats and Clark makes a thread he likes that I use. It has a braided texture to it that seems to help with the segmentation.
The hardest part seems to be gaining confidence in a size 24 fly. Huge fish will eat them, but fishermen are hesitant to use them. I tie a size 30 midge that works well on the tailwater I fish, but I don’t know if you need to go that small out west.
Good luck
Yeah he does! I ran into him on my local last October or maybe November. He and his brother were fishing above a buddy of mine. He can fish too. Had a blast talking with him. He and my buddy got into a fishing shoot out of sorts. That was fun to watch.
My local being a tailwater, the midges tend to be tiny. Usually the simpler patterns work best. Glass beads are nice and sometimes a strand or two of krystal flash as a tail. Sometimes very small differences can mean getting into fish or not. The other day my buddy got the fish, the only difference in our flies that day was that his had the tails. Next time out he was out of the tailed midge, leaving me to get into fish for a change. He was fishing them in a size 18 or 20, mine were an 18, tied on a 16 hook.
thanks for more links and images. i’ll try to tie some of them on the plane going out there since i can’t bring a 5th anymore
as for presentation, my buddy is going to build me a 10′ 4pc 5wt this weekend and bring it up to the condo when we fish!
This is from Sunday, I love to use midges this time of year. I’m not sure you can see the fly, but it is a Phantom Midge in the top lip of this brown.
back from breck
midges that worked for me were flash wrapped body with herl head and a black thread midge with a silvery bead from frisco walmart with a puff of dr jones sqeaky dog toy filling for a wing.
tied up several dozen on the airplane, got some strange looks from people too. thought they would think my vise and gear would = harold and kumar
Is there a standard recipe for Disco Midges? I googled it earlier, and every pattern was different.
D.
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