In short, a Zebra Midge is a fly pattern used to imitate both the pupal and nymphal stages of a wide variety of aquatic-born insects. The Zebra Midge features a tapered body, ribbed abdomen, and a beadhead, making it a versatile and effective fly pattern for all sizes and species of trout.
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How do you fly fish a zebra midge?
In my opinion, the best way to fish a Zebra Midge on streams and creeks is as a dropper behind a larger, flashier pattern. I do really well trailing it behind a Copper John, Prince Nymph, or even a much bigger stonefly. Trout are attracted to the larger pattern, but will then usually take the smaller trailing fly.
How do you make a midge zebra?
What materials do you need to tie a zebra midge?
- Hook: Tiemco TMC 2488 Size 18 (or similar)
- Bead: 5/64 inch Silver Cyclops Eye Bead.
- Thread: Black Danville’s 6/0 Fly Master (or color of choice)
- Rib: Extra-Small Silver UTC Ultra-Wire.
- Thorax: Fine Black Dubbing (or color of choice)
Is a zebra midge a dry fly?
Midge Nymphs are generally considered wet flies in the traditional sense. Any fly fished beneath the water’s surface is referred to as a nymph. Insect Nymphs are designed to mimic the egg, larval, and pupal life cycles of insects.
Do trout eat midges?
They’re small, they’re delicate, they’re numerous, and they make for some frustrating fishing. But one thing is very clear: trout love to eat midges.
How do you fish midges under indicators?
Is a zebra midge a nymph?
The Zebra Midge is a nymph that imitates midge pupae and/or emerging midges. Herein lies the first clue to how to fish them. The Zebra consists of nothing more than a size 16-24 shrimp/scud hook wrapped in colored thread and a copper or silver fine wire with a 2 or 3mm tungsten bead head of matching metallic finish.
How do you fish midges in the winter?
What does a WD 40 fly imitate?
The fly can be used to imitate a small Baetis / Blue Wing Olive or midge. The original fly pattern was tied with a gray body/thorax, but it can be tied in a variety of colors including olive, chocolate, black, tan, and red.
What type of fly is a zebra midge?
The Story. The TH Zebra Midge is a great stillwater fly pattern where chironomids are present. Chironomids can represent a significant portion of the trout’s diet in stillwater. Sizes: 16, 18, 20, 22.
What is a green drake fly?
A western green drake or Drunella Grandis is a large crawling mayfly that can be easily identified for its upright mayfly wings and vibrant green color. They are most often found in size #10-#12 sometimes even an #8 sized fly.
How do you whip a fly finish?
How big is a midge zebra?
Zebra midges are most commonly tied on hooks size 16 and smaller. Here I’m going to use a Dai-Riki #125 emerger hook in size 20. I’m using a 1/16th inch silver cyclops bead because it complements this hook well. It can be a microscopic wrestling match to get the bead on the hook, small hole first, but do your best.
What is a midge fly pattern?
Midge pupa patterns sometimes look similar to RS2s, with a thread body and a bit of flash, dubbing, or feather near the head. Some are bare enough to be almost nymph-like, while others are gaudy enough to be close to an adult.
What does a midge turn into?
They occur in a variety of aquatic habitats. The aquatic larvae of many midges are called bloodworms, for they are red from the hemoglobin molecules within their narrow bodies.
How do you fish midges in a river?
What time of day do midges hatch?
Midges will hatch during the warmest parts of the day often from 10 – 3 pm and can bring nearly every fish in the river to the surface. This hatch alone can make winter fly fishing worth pursuing.
How do you fish a midge tip fly line?
Where do midges go in winter?
Midge larvae spend the winter in the soil until the following spring. A week later the females emerge, they mate and the males die off.. Females lay their eggs on the soil surface 7 days later… Eggs hatch into larvae which grow and then pupate into an adult midge…
What temperature do midges hatch?
BWO need water temps above 38 degree (40-44 are best) for the hatch to really take off, but midges will hatch anytime and it’s really just a matter of their lifecycles which are sporadic. Often 10 – 3 are the times to see a hatch as it’s the warmest parts of the day.
Who invented the zebra midge?
The Zebra Midge, invented by Lees Ferry guide Ted Welling, imitates a tiny midge pupa, but you’ll be amazed by how such a tiny fly can attract large fish. In his book Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies, Pat Dorsey describes how he uses the Zebra Midge when he needs a midge-pupa pattern that sinks quickly.
What does a Copper John fly imitate?
What does the Copper John Nymph imitate? The Copper John Nymph imitates Mayflies and Stoneflies. If you are a fly angler, you know that trout are fans of these little bugs, and eat them through the Spring, Summer and Fall, especially during the hatch.
What does a soft hackle fly imitate?
Soft hackles are perhaps the most versatile patterns because you can fish them effectively from the streambed to the surface. These simple flies are chameleons, effectively imitating almost the entire life cycles of mayflies, midges, caddisflies, and a host of other arthropods.
Are midges active in winter?
Interestingly, a harsh, cold winter has little or no effect on midge numbers the following season.