In Winter we are almost always fly fishing a Midge. Learn what type of Midge fly to use when and where. What is the trout behavior during a Midge hatch.
Good video explaining how fish eat midges in winter on rivers. I noticed at 6:50 seconds into the video you show three midges with Some sort of indicator attached to the fly. Do you have a video explaining this and how it’s made? I’m assuming the purpose is to allow the midge to just drift under the surface a few inches and still use a light indicator for the take. Would be very interested in the process of using this set up and how it’s made.
Good comment. Strike indicators used during a midge hatch is a common technique and lots of anglers prefer to do so. However, the fly at 6:50 is a Parasol Midge Pupa. The parasol is tied onto 6X tippet and then tied to the fly. So your pupa drifts just under the surface where you can't see it but you see the white parasol. So basically, it is a built-in strike indicator. I suppose you could add another pupa and float them as a tandem. I like this fly and use quite often. My old eyes can see it clearly. There are a couple of RUclips fly tying tutorials on tying this type of fly. I rarely use a strike indicator when casting to feeding trout.
Mike - in the Winter, do you often do a dry dropper rig, so you have both nymph and dun version of the midge? Another question - if you are using a smaller size for the dry/dun than the nymph how the hell are you seeing size 22 and smaller? Thanks for your post, I do find them very helpful!
Hi Dean, good to hear from you and also a good comment. What you are describing is a common technique and used by many. If I were to use this technique, which I would do if the river dictated I do so, I would not be using an adult midge. instead, I would be using a hatching emerger pattern that will float on or in the meniscus such as a Parachute Midge, Klinkhamer Midge, Down Wing Midge and so on. This way I'm fishing 2 emergers one is nymphal (Pupa) and the other a hatcher (Down Wing Midge) The point is the hatcher acts like a strike indicator and I will catch trout on it versus an adult midge pattern where I probably won't. The more accurate sized midge should be your dropper in most cases.
Very good explanation of midges. Looking forward to the series. Thanks.
Good video explaining how fish eat midges in winter on rivers. I noticed at 6:50 seconds into the video you show three midges with Some sort of indicator attached to the fly. Do you have a video explaining this and how it’s made? I’m assuming the purpose is to allow the midge to just drift under the surface a few inches and still use a light indicator for the take. Would be very interested in the process of using this set up and how it’s made.
Good comment. Strike indicators used during a midge hatch is a common technique and lots of anglers prefer to do so. However, the fly at 6:50 is a Parasol Midge Pupa. The parasol is tied onto 6X tippet and then tied to the fly. So your pupa drifts just under the surface where you can't see it but you see the white parasol. So basically, it is a built-in strike indicator. I suppose you could add another pupa and float them as a tandem. I like this fly and use quite often. My old eyes can see it clearly. There are a couple of RUclips fly tying tutorials on tying this type of fly. I rarely use a strike indicator when casting to feeding trout.
Mike - in the Winter, do you often do a dry dropper rig, so you have both nymph and dun version of the midge? Another question - if you are using a smaller size for the dry/dun than the nymph how the hell are you seeing size 22 and smaller? Thanks for your post, I do find them very helpful!
Hi Dean, good to hear from you and also a good comment. What you are describing is a common technique and used by many. If I were to use this technique, which I would do if the river dictated I do so, I would not be using an adult midge. instead, I would be using a hatching emerger pattern that will float on or in the meniscus such as a Parachute Midge, Klinkhamer Midge, Down Wing Midge and so on. This way I'm fishing 2 emergers one is nymphal (Pupa) and the other a hatcher (Down Wing Midge) The point is the hatcher acts like a strike indicator and I will catch trout on it versus an adult midge pattern where I probably won't. The more accurate sized midge should be your dropper in most cases.