Fly of the Month Bob Ireton brings together his experience in fly fishing, aquatic entomology, and knowledge of fly tying techniques and materials, to design and tie durable and effective flies.

   Volume 3,  Issue 5                                                                     May  2002

 BLACK MIDGE

Midge fly patterns represent those very small insects found on and around smooth water, such as spring creeks, tailwaters, quiet stretches of streams, and ponds and lakes on calm days. Even though midges are quite small, there are usually large numbers of them available for fish to feed on. Midges are an important food source, especially for trout, small and large!

Tying and fishing midge patterns probably is one of the most challenging aspects of fly fishing. One needs to do both in a delicate and deliberate manner.

This pattern is especially small, size 20-26, so I tied it in size 16 so it would be easier for you to see.

Hook – TMC 100, Dai-Riki 300, Daiichi 1100, Mustad 94840, Orvis 1509 Size 20-26

Thread – 8/0 Black

Tail – Black hackle fibers

Body – Black superfine dubbing

Hackle – Black

TYING STEPS

1 – Secure the hook properly in vice. Since this fly is so small, it might be a good idea to not pinch down the barb. However, you may do that if you wish. Tie in thread one hook eye space behind eye of hook, and lay on a thread base rearward, stopping above barb. Half hitch.
2 – Now tie in the hackle fibers for the tail. Use an amount appropriate for the size fly you are tying, and let the tail be the length of the hook shank. Half hitch.
3 – Dub a body forward, thin at the tail, and becoming thicker for the thorax. Half hitch.
4 – Prepare the appropriate size dry fly hackle, and tie in. Half hitch.
5 – Make several complete wraps of hackle, and tie off. Cut off any excess hackle. Half hitch. If you left enough room, add a small amount of dubbing in front of the hackle, and half hitch. Form a head, half hitch, and whip finish. Add a small amount of head cement to the head. Note: Adding half hitches between steps produces a more durable fly, and I don’t think it adds enough weight to matter. If you are concerned about the half hitches adding weight, I suggest omitting one wrap before the half hitch

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