Neon Nightmare

Description

Sometimes less is more, and Matt McCannel’s Neon Nightmare midge is just that! He developed this midge pattern to stand out in the crowds of midges during the winter and spring on his local tailwaters. It has a really thin and sparse profile to imitate the wormlike appearance of midge larvae.

The thin body coating of resin creates a flashy thorax, that simulates the puparium filled with gases that provide buoyancy as the midge ascends to the surface to emerge into an adult. This pattern has fooled finicky tailwater trout all over the west. The Neon Nightmare midge is a fantastic attractor and is quickly becoming one of our go-to flies during the winter months.

Fishing Strategies:

The Neon Nightmare is another pattern we use to fool selective trout that are keying on midge larva.  The flash in the thorax is one of the key ingredients.  It has quickly become one of our go-to patterns on Blue River, South Platte, Yampa, Arkansas, Frying Pan, and Williams Fork.  We often use this as an attractor during the shoulder seasons instead of an egg pattern.  Matt typically runs the Neon Nightmare as his point fly on a two-fly right, with the more natural colored fly as his dropper.

Recipe:

Hook: #20-22 Tiemco 2488
Thread: White UTC 70 Denier
Rib: Orange UTC 70 Denier
Thorax: Orange UTC 70 Denier
Body Coating: Loon Outdoors