The midge, buzzer, gnat, chironomid fly pattern represents the seemingly ever present small insect that hatches in all manner of waters almost year ’round. Larva, pupa or adult patterns are tiny morsels that trout find available when almost nothing else is ‘coming off’ (emerging/hatching) the waters in the Winter and part of the mix the rest of the year. Like popcorn in the food chain of life.
Excellent Info re Chironomids~Midges by Philip Rowley@Fly Craft Angling
Midges (Buzzers, Chironomids, Chironomidae, Diptera, Gnats, Bombers, Bloodworms) are a staple for trout. Midges can comprise a significant portion of a trout’s diet in some lakes or rivers. Sizes vary, but tend toward the small offerings in larva, pupa, emerger, adult patterns. Type in Chironomid into Google Images and you will get the overview of this simple food form. Watch for swooping/feeding birds above the water’s surface as an indicator of a hatch.
Midge Emerger Pattern
Some good, basic information on Midge Fishing year around by Tom Rosenbauer @ Orvis. Trout sipping at a frequent pace just below the surface does increase ones opportunities for hookups.
Trout caught on Midge Emerger (Released)
Photography is a wonderful endeavor. It captures such magnitude, at times. Beauty, passion, energy, awe and just plain pleasure. Such is the case for me, with certain images of fish. There are many in my circle of fly fishers, or let’s say fishermen in general, that are greatly pleased with the beauty of a fish.
The term ‘fish porn’ arose a few years ago to capture that energy one feels of looking at a beautiful fish that subconsciously replicates something sexy, curvy, plump, sexy, powerful etc. Sometimes, a thing of beauty transcends the provocative porn label…I know it does.
A couple of things, that I have come to take for granted, should be noted for those that visit here for the images or my blazing charm…the photos of fish that are so gorgeous have been taken by my wife or son and it is important to note that the fish are released back into the waters unharmed.
I do get the occasional comment re ‘good eating’ or ‘tasty’. Short of a few hatchery (“put and take” resource) steelhead or salmon, I rarely kill any fish. I long ago stopped killing trout because they often went to waste. There are hatchery trout that are also there for “put and take” enjoyment. I just don’t bother with it anymore. The above Rainbow Trout is too glorious for me to harvest it for a meal.
I so rarely use a floating line on a lake. So, when the surface activity is there…out it comes. The fish were working in two to six feet of water, cruising about for emerging Chironomids. Big tails and dorsals swirled inches above the surface. A size 16 pupa pattern was suspended a few inches below the surface ( ‘greased’ the leader/tippet to within 6″ of the fly with floatant).
Came across this pattern by Scott Stisser, that represents a stillborn midge. With a variety of colors it could be an excellent spinner pattern for the mayfly. The foam wingcase and CDC wings would float the pattern nicely and the abdomen and shuck tail would bob in or just beneath the surface film. The link provides the step by step tying stages.
The Stillborn Midge pattern by Scott Stisser. Here, the foam wingcase is about to be pulled over the wings/thorax area.
