Maggies Midge (Midge Pupa Imitation~Source Westfly~Oregon)
HOOK: 3X fine dry fly hook, sizes 10-16, THREAD: Black
TAIL: Few strands of white Antron yarn
BODY: Very thin sparkle dubbing (black, red, or olive)
RIBBING: Fine pearl mylar; BACK: Foam strip, colored to match body
THORAX: Arizona Synthetic Peacock dubbing , natural or golden
GILLS: White CDC, clipped short
Jeff Morgan writes about this fly: ” When chironomids are just about to emerge, they lie perfectly parallel to the surface film, a position tough to maintain with the emaciated patterns needed to consistently fool picky fish. This pattern achieves what is needed, a flush-floating pattern without the hackle or excessive CDC that would identify it as a fraud. This fly floats best with the addition of some sort of floatant (but not on the CDC), but with the foam and CDC it can usually last a couple of fish before sinking. On this and any other emerging chironomid, you can go crazy with flash, for the naturals are often glistening like the Hope Diamond thanks to all the trapped gasses inside the pupal skin. “You may find it helpful to first rib this fly with fine silver wire, then go over the ribbing with the pearl mylar. This will add to the durability of the fly’s foam back.”
Me: The pattern is interesting, yes, but more interesting is the info re presentation considerations based upon Morgan’s assertion of horizontal positioning and the flash factor. Keeping the fly in that zone and matching the position is the challenge. Foam and floatant would help. Observation of the fly’s actions and the attempt to match that action in the design of the fly and the presentation is the fun. Solving the puzzle. That is the fun, no just seducing the fish.
