Author Topic: River Midge Variety (Read 1525 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** November 28, 2009, 03:28:12 PM »

Over the last 10 years Midge patterns have become an absolute staple in my river fly box. One of my goals is to carry only 1 medium sized box of patterns to the river and lately the midge row has been gaining ground on other patterns. This obviously becomes increasingly important during the winter months, but no matter the time of year when the going gets tough "the midges get going!"

I've been considering the variety of midge patterns I take to the river lately. Especially in regard to the immense variation you find in trained still water angler's boxes. Buzzers abound with all sort of color, shape, and accentuation. Most river anglers however (including myself) often just run with standard zebra midges in a black/olive size 18/20.

The other day I did a stomach pump and found a really large midge pupae with very distinct white gills. Probably near a 14/16 - very large for the usual midge size 20/22 you find in this system. This got me thinking: "am I missing out here?"

What are your thoughts and practices in regard to "River Midge Variety"?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2009, 10:58:06 PM »

You talking bout' these bad boys?:

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2009, 07:32:43 PM »

Wow D that is a big River Midge! What color was it?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2009, 09:28:13 PM »

Jackson Hoose · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2009, 09:55:09 PM »

thats awesome. how does the stomach pump work? what do you need? a turkey baster? how much is the fish stressed by pumping its stomach?

thanks for the info

Jamie Philpott · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2009, 10:58:57 PM »

So from that picture dejon is it safe to say you could get away with tying a size 16 midge pattern?. What do you think?. Ive been tying midge patterns all weekend .
Zebra midges, blood midges, and what ever else i could . Most of my hooks have been size 18 2499spbl.

As for the stomach pump ive seen it done on the river before and the guy that was doing it went on to slam the fish like i have never seen.

He also takes the samples home and logs them to what date and stream he took the samples from.
I have to get one soon.

Pretty cool stuff.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:27:09 AM »

Quote from: Jackson Hoose on November 29, 2009, 09:55:09 PM

thats awesome. how does the stomach pump work? what do you need? a turkey baster? how much is the fish stressed by pumping its stomach?

This is a fishing specific pump and when used quickly, gently, and correctly it causes no harm to the fish. I believe they have directions with the pump. And yes, pumping a fish or 2 can tell you exactly what size and variety of food they are eating.

Quote from: Jamie P on November 29, 2009, 10:58:57 PM

So from that picture dejon is it safe to say you could get away with tying a size 16 midge pattern?. What do you think?. Ive been tying midge patterns all weekend .
Zebra midges, blood midges, and what ever else i could . Most of my hooks have been size 18 2499spbl.

Yeah, I think a 16 maybe even a 14 would do the trick. I think the key here is that having some "oversized" midge patterns for the river might be the trick on certain tough days. I'm quite sure the usual 18/20s will be the big producers though. I think you're right the loss of weight when using the glass beads would definitely have to be compensated by the size of your 2nd fly. Then again, maybe it's just the hot colors that are key.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:05:47 AM »

That is a big midge. What kind of stream is this Dejon? Is it a spring creek? I have seen some of these bigger midges in my local tailwater.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2009, 11:18:00 AM »

Freestone. It's the upper Catt. Pretty much my favorite stream to fish lately. Speaking of which, I've been searching for a 20+ incher on that creek for months now. 2 days ago I finally hooked and landed this gorgeous dark male all of 21inches... and wouldn't you know it's the one day I don't take my camera:)

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2009, 12:12:11 PM »

That sounds like a nice stream. Do you still need a Res Lisc in that area?

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2009, 12:56:45 AM »

Please pardon my ignorance but what type of hook is best for tying these midge patterns? I was looking at Daiichi 1140 hooks at Feathercraft ( http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=TA006 ). Would these fit the bill or does someone have a better suggestion?
I'm fairly new to tying and I don't want to order crap.

IHPGFY · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2009, 08:15:45 AM »

This is one of my favorite midges to use and one I conjured up about 10-12 years ago prior to a South Platte Trip. Needless to say it hammered out there, and continues to hammer around here. Enjoy the video.

http://www.vimeo.com/2247463

IHPGFY · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2009, 08:25:18 AM »

Another really good fly that works for me is a simple red wired brassie with a gold bead and a pinkish tan collar of rabbit. It has saved the day for me many many times in the winter. The crippled midge pattern that I did in a video last month is another one that I use quite frequently as well. Down here on the Farmington, midge imitations are a very important food form for the trout, and patterns of the like can take fish every month of the year.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2009, 11:38:59 AM »

Rich, great collection of vids you've put together on that Vimeo page. I'm sure it will be a great resource for many of the members here. Btw, what program are you using to edit them? Also, I think opening and closing with a high-res close up shot of the flies would really add something to the production.

Chris, I'm sure that Daichi hook will be fine - they make some good hooks all though I haven't played around with that one specifically.

IHPGFY · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2009, 11:51:40 AM »

D,
will do. I am using Imovie09, all Mac stuff here on my end. It's super simple, has many great gadgets to go with it, and allows me to upload, edit and put together a clip in under a 1/2 hour. Got it down to a science. I think for my 2010 vids, I will take your advice and add the pics of the fly, I used to do that before I got the HD camera.

I will probably do some czech/polish style nymphs in the new year.....

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2009, 12:52:25 PM »

I like that pattern its an easy tie to.

IHPGFY · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2009, 11:27:01 AM »

I just wanted to add this one as well before I forget. This particular fly works good as it cuts through the water column a bit better due to the wire body. The sky is the limit in terms of color combos and beads. I do really well with the one in the video, my second favorite is a red glass bead, and red purple wire.....
http://www.vimeo.com/2657896