Minute Midge

Description

Vince Wilcox’s Minute Midge is one of our favorite patterns for the winter months.  It is a great midge larva or pupa attractor when trout are keying in on midges.  The Minute Midge is an excellent attractor in a multi-fly nymphing rig trailing another small midge or mayfly nymph behind it. The combination of Diamond Braid and Ice Dub draws a lot of attention to the droppers. The Minute Midge is perfect to imitate an emerging midge pupa with a little extra flash to get the fish moving even in the dead of winter. This pattern has proven itself many times on famed western tailwaters like the Big Horn, Farmington, South Platte, Frying Pan and South Holston.

Fishing Strategies:

The Minute Midge fishes well under a wide range of conditions, regardless of the season.  We fish it in a tandem nymphing rig as a lead fly, trailing one or two other midge imitations (larva or pupa) off it. Droppers of choice include Black Beauties, Mercury Brassies, Top Secret Midges or Manhattan Midges. Observation is key when trying to match the hatch. Look at the size of the adults and match the pupa accordingly.

Recipe:

Hook: #18-22 Tiemco 2488
Bead: Peacock, glass bead (extra small)
Thread: Black UTC 70 Denier
Abdomen: Midge Diamond Braid
Flashback: Fuchsia holographic tinsel
Thorax: Ice Dub