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MIDGES, CHIRONOMIDS AND SCUDS
"Midges are the single most
important group of insects in American stillwaters, both from the angler's viewpoint and
that of the trout." --- John Merwin in Stillwater Trout --
How trout can get so fat eating scuds is a mystery to me. Tip: Try the brighter colors if
you fish deep or on overcast days.
Please see our suggestions and tips on Fishing Chironomids.
Black & Silver Zebra Midge
: This
pattern was developed for the tail water fishery at Lee’s Ferry,Colorado River,
Arizona. It has since gained wide acceptance in lake fisheries with good midge populations
from the Eastern Sierras to the Eastern Cascades up to British Columbia. Often fished
below a good floating dry on flowing waters.
See above style Black & Copper Zebra Midge : This pattern was developed for the tail water fishery at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River in Arizona. It has since gained wide acceptance in lake fisheries with good midge populations from the Eastern Sierras up through the Eastern Cascades to British Columbia. Often fished below a good floating dry on flowing waters. See Chironomid Techniques for still water suggestions.
See above style
Red& Copper Zebra Midge : This pattern was developed for the tail water fishery at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River in Arizona. It has since gained wide acceptance in lake fisheries with good midge populations from the Eastern Sierras up through the Eastern Cascades to British Columbia. Often fished below a good floating dry on flowing waters. See Chironomid Techniques for still water suggestions.
Olive Scuds
Our
scuds are tied with deer hair back and trilobal antron dubbing for the body and legs. We
also use straight hooks rather than curved shank hooks because in the water scuds are
straight and only curve their bodies when you take them from the water. Scuds are an
important food source for trout in many tail waters ( Big Horn River MT, Colorado River -
Lee’s Ferry AZ, Hat Creek CA) Scuds are also prolific in many of the alkaline lakes
of the western USA. Scuds avoid bright sun light and are most active in low light periods.
Crawdad Orange Our
scuds are tied with deer hair back and trilobal antron dubbing for the body and legs. We
also use straight hooks rather than curved shank hooks because in the water scuds are
straight and only curve their bodies when you take them from the water. Scuds are an
important food source for trout in many tail waters ( Big Horn River MT, Colorado River -
Lee’s Ferry AZ, Hat Creek CA) Scuds are also prolific in many of the alkaline lakes
of the western USA. Scuds avoid bright sun light and are most active in low light periods.
Squirrel
Belly Brown Scuds
Our
scuds are tied with deer hair back and trilobal antron dubbing for the body and legs. We
also use straight hooks rather than curved shank hooks because in the water scuds are
straight and only curve their bodies when you take them from the water. Scuds are an
important food source for trout in many tail waters ( Big Horn River MT, Colorado River -
Lee’s Ferry AZ, Hat Creek CA) Scuds are also prolific in many of the alkaline lakes
of the western USA. Scuds avoid bright sun light and are most active in low light periods.
Gray
Scuds
Our
scuds are tied with deer hair back and trilobal antron dubbing for the body and legs. We
also use straight hooks rather than curved shank hooks because in the water scuds are
straight and only curve their bodies when you take them from the water. Scuds are an
important food source for trout in many tail waters ( Big Horn River MT, Colorado River -
Lee’s Ferry AZ, Hat Creek CA) Scuds are also prolific in many of the alkaline lakes
of the western USA. Scuds avoid bright sun light and are most active in low light periods.
See above style Ginger Variant (Mix of Brown & Orange) Scuds Our scuds are tied with deer hair back and trilobal antron dubbing for the body and legs. We also use straight hooks rather than curved shank hooks because in the water scuds are straight and only curve their bodies when you take them from the water. Scuds are an important food source for trout in many tail waters ( Big Horn River MT, Colorado River - Lee’s Ferry AZ, Hat Creek CA) Scuds are also prolific in many of the alkaline lakes of the western USA. Scuds avoid bright sun light and are most active in low light periods.
no picture Blood Midge Emerger ---This fly is designed to "hang in the film" by its hackle. The marabou body and tail should be pre-moistened to ensure it sinks readily. The hackle and post should be treated with floatant to keep them on top. It rides properly when it is tied to the leader using a "Duncan Loop" or similar knot. This style of fly represents the vulnerable cripple or emerging Blood Midge .
Blood
Midge, Pupa -- On some lakes
this is the only midge form that works some of the time as the pupa form is easy for trout
to catch and seasonally available in great numbers.
Chironomid,
Black -- Black has the most contrast in poor visibility, and thus is
often the most noticeable color for midge pupa. A number of black pupa naturally
occur in still and flowing waters. Leešs Ferry on the Colorado River has incredible
numbers of small black midge pupa (size #18). Black is the most often fished color
of midge pupa.
Chironomid
Grey Boy -- The
Grey Boy is black with white banding on the body and a red & black head. Again a
multi colored offering hoping to appeal to some color the fish are used to feeding on.
Chironomid, Pearl -- Translucent pupa ( i. e. mosquitoes) are best imitated by
pearl. It is a white pattern with multi-colored crystal flash wrapped over.
Fish key in on positives and the multi-color over white gives lots of options. Pearl
is a good choice for clear water conditions
Chironomid, Red--
The red or, Blood Midge, lives in the oxygen poor zone at the bottom of lakes.
Generally they inhabit mud & muck bottoms rather than sand & gravel. This
zone is so deep that it receives little or no sun light for photosynthesis and the
decaying vegetable matter absorbs oxygen. Note: the red pigmentation of this midge
is the hemoglobin it uses to store the oxygen. Red is the first band of
light that water filters out so your red pupa does not appear red a few feet below the
surface. It becomes gray like a black and white TV. At the surface the
red/orange color portant, particularly for emergers.
BH Brassie -- A
flashy fly that sinks quickly, works for as a rough and ready approximation of all sorts
of nymphs.Grayling's scientific name is thymallus because they smell like thyme when fresh
from the water.
Griffiths Gnat -- In smaller sizes, if you can thread them, a solid midge
imitation. Those with old eyes may find a larger size that imitates a "midge
scrum" works. George Griffith of Michigan developed the pattern popularized by
Ernest Schwiebert's book, Nymphs.
Midge,
Black -- Teeny,
Tiny black midges can drive you bonkers. When clouds gather overhead try one of
these -- if, of course, you can thread it on a 6X leader.
Mighty Mystery Midge, Black --A good choice when nothing much works,
and the white wing makes it easier to see in clear water.
Mighty Mystery
Midge, Cream -- The Mystery Midges, in either color, are a good
generic dry midge pattern and an excellent micro caddis pattern. Just grease the wing and
the body will hang in the film as an effective emerger.
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