Most of my fly patterns are tied out of necessity to match aquatic insect hatches or phases of these hatches that trout are feeding upon. Such as we fish 'tail water" type rivers here we experience a very large number of midge or chronomide hatches throughout the year. The midge life cycle consists of larva, pupa (emerging phase) and adult. My observations indicate that many trout here prefer to feed upon the emerging pupa stage of the midge. This is evident by observing the rise forms and feeding patterns of the trout. My favorite fishing methods and fly patterns for emerging aquatic insects are the soft hackles and as such I came up with the Midge emerger soft hackle. This fly is tied only on a size #18 hook which is actually larger than the true emerging midge pupa. The key to the success to this pattern is silhouette and motion. My method of presenting this pattern is that I target a specific rise form, and swing the fly into the fishes feeding window. As the fly is in the target area I strip or "twitch the fly to impart a life like motion. Most takes occur at this phase and some are very subtle. My leader system is a 9 foot 5X leader with 4 to 5 feet of 6X fluorocarbon tippet material. I use an Orvis knot at the fly.
Pattern: Midge Emerger Soft Hackle
Thread: Uni 8/0, iron gray
Hook: TMC 2499 SPBL. Superfine point, 2X heavy, 3X Wide, 2X short, curved shank.
Body: Krenic "cord", 005C, gun metal. Two strands
Underwing: Four strands of Midge crystal flash, pearl. Tied downwing style
Collar: Natural muskrat or fine Adams gray dubbing
Hackle: Whiting Brahma hen, mottled gray or gray partridge.
Notes: It is difficult to find small soft hackle sizes to match the correct proportions of this fly and as such I occasionally trim the soft hackle to match the fly size.
When completed, this fly is actually a size #20 when tied on then TMC 2499 SPBL, size #18
Designed and tied by Jim Mengle
