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Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Zebra Midge (Simple to Tie)

by Kevin Liang 10 Dec 2022

 

Although imitations of the Midge are not new to the fly-fishing world, they are still considered to be some of the best in the class. They can be fished in both moving and still water settings.

Although many anglers try to imitate the original pattern, the general pattern remains the same. The most common type of fly used by anglers is the zebra midge.

You only need a box of these tiny flies for the day. Don't be fooled by their size, as big fish often eat small flies. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need big flies to catch big fish. Instead, think about the river's food sources.

We're not here to discuss the merits of the zebra midge. Instead, we will talk about how to tie and fish this pattern.

WHY THE ZEBRA MIDGE IS GREAT

The patterns known as the zebra midge are known to be incredibly effective when it comes to catching big fish. In red, this pattern is also deadly.

A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE ZEBRA MIDGE

The deadly little pattern is best suited for all trout fly boxes. Multiple versions of this pattern have been tied over the years, and more recent variations have been spotted. A simple thread body with a peacock herl thorax and a weight bead head is all that's needed to get the job done. Red, black, and green are some of the most common colors used for this fly.

The patterns known as the zebra midge are known to be incredibly effective when it comes to catching big fish. One of the main reasons why this particular pattern is so effective is that it's found in most bodies of water. This means that they are able to provide consistent food for trout.

WHAT FISH DOES A ZEBRA MIDGE CATCH?

The trout-friendly nature of the zebra midge makes it an incredibly popular choice for anglers who want to catch large fish. In addition to trout, other species such as the chub and grayling can also be affected by this pattern. I have used this fly in my local waters and have caught several smallmouth yellowfish.

HOW TO SETUP A ZEBRA MIDGE

The setup that you can use to fish this pattern is entirely up to you. The way you choose to fish it can vary depending on the water conditions in your area. The little flies can be fished as a drop fly, a point on a nymphing rig, or dry dropper.

One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to using this pattern is the length of your leader. For me, this is usually a 17' leader. I have a lot of success using this type of leader on a dry dropper and a nymphing rig.

The tippet size of the fish that you intend to target will also be affected by the type of scud hooks that you will be using to tie this pattern. These types of hooks have a large thick eye, and they tend to slip when you knot them.

WHAT DOES THE ZEBRA MIDGE REPRESENT

The patterns known as the zebra midge cover the pupa and larva stages of the insect. If you are planning on using a glass bead as a collar, this will imitate the emerging form of the creature. The Griffith Gnat is a good dry fly for the life cycle.

ZEBRA MIDGE’S FAVORITE SIZE AND COLOR

When it comes to choosing the colors and sizes of the flies that you will be using to make use of this pattern, it is very easy to choose red as your go-to color. Another good choice would be olive green. This can be used as a small caddis nymph.

HOW TO TIE ZEBRA MIDGE

Materials-

Hook: Size 14 Wet Hook

Bead: 1/8” Cyclops Gold

Thread: 6/0 Red or Black

Rib: Fine Gold Wire

Options: Switch up the thread to black, smaller sizes to 16

Recipe

1.Slip-on bead

2.Secure the hook in vice and wrap a level thread base ending 2/3rds down the hook shank.

3.Tie in gold wire.

4.Wrap thread forward and back to create a tapered thread body.

5.End with wraps behind the bead.

6.Wrap gold wire forward in the opposite direction and tie off behind the bead.

7.Whip finish.

The light coating of Solarez on the surface of the fly provides the pattern with a bullet-like body that can easily fall through the water. This is a great option if you are going to fish faster.

ONE LAST CAST WITH THE ZEBRA MIDGE

The question that you should be asking yourself is how many to carry when it comes to using the ZEBRA MIDGE. It is a relatively easy pattern to tie and is very cheap to buy.

The ZEBRA Midge is a great choice when the trout are getting a little bit picky. This is a great choice if you are looking for a fly that will work for you when the going gets tough.

Tight Lines!

Article refer:
1.Choosing the Best Fly Fishing Flies
2.Fly Fishing with Ant Patterns (Setup, Flies and More)
3.Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Elk Hair Caddis
4.Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Beaded Caddis Nymph
5.Fly Fish for Bass with Poppers
6.Complete Guide to Fly Fishing with the Zebra Midge (Simple to Tie)
7.Complete Guide to Fishing and Tying the Griffith's Gnat
8.15 Best Flies for Cutthroat Trout (These Flies Work!)
9.Aquatic Fly Fishing Insects
10.Fly Fishing Starter Flies

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