Zebra Midge
Small fly, big results — the tailwater secret weapon.
The Zebra Midge is the simplest and most effective midge pattern ever designed. A thread body with wire rib and a small bead creates the segmented look of a midge pupa that trout feed on relentlessly in tailwaters. When fish are rising to invisible food, this is almost always the answer.
History & Lore
The Zebra Midge originated on Colorado's South Platte River tailwaters in the early 2000s, though its exact originator is debated. Its genius lies in extreme simplicity — thread, wire, and a bead — making it easy to tie in bulk and devastating on midge-heavy waters like Cheesman Canyon and the San Juan River.
Variations
UV Zebra Midge
UV resin coat over the body for extra shine and durability.
Top Secret Midge
Pearl flashabou wing case at the thorax.
Tungsten Zebra Midge
Heavy tungsten bead for Euro nymphing in fast water.
How to Fish It
Fish the Zebra Midge as the dropper in a two-nymph rig, 18-24 inches below a heavier point fly. On tailwaters, fish it in the film suspended under a small dry fly. Trout eat midges year-round but especially in winter when nothing else is hatching.
When to Use
Year-round on tailwaters and spring creeks. Indispensable in winter and early spring when midges are the primary food source.
Materials
- Hook
- TMC 2488, #16-26
- Bead
- Silver or black tungsten, 1.5-2.5mm
- Thread
- Uni 8/0 or 10/0, black, red, or olive
- Rib
- Fine silver or copper wire
Tying Video
Tying Steps
Slide a 2mm silver or tungsten bead onto the hook. Start thread behind the bead.
💡 Match bead size to hook — 2mm for #18-20, 1.5mm for #22-24.
Wrap thread to the bend in smooth, touching turns to create the body.
💡 Thread color IS the body color — use black, red, or olive.
Tie in fine silver or copper wire at the bend.
💡 Ultra-fine wire for sizes 20+, small wire for 16-18.
Wrap thread back to the bead to build a smooth, slightly tapered body.
💡 Keep the body thin — midges are slender insects.
Counter-wrap the wire forward in 5-6 evenly spaced turns. Secure behind the bead.
💡 Counter-wrapping prevents the wire from unwinding on fish.
Whip finish behind the bead. Apply a thin coat of UV resin or head cement to the body.
💡 The resin coat adds durability and a subtle shine that mimics gas bubbles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Zebra Midge should I use?
The Zebra Midge is most commonly tied in sizes 16–26. Year-round on tailwaters and spring creeks. Indispensable in winter and early spring when midges are the primary food source.
What does a Zebra Midge imitate?
The Zebra Midge primarily imitates midge pupae, midge larvae, Chironomids. Fish the Zebra Midge as the dropper in a two-nymph rig, 18-24 inches below a heavier point fly. On tailwaters, fish it in the film suspended under a s
What materials do I need to tie a Zebra Midge?
Key materials include: Hook, Bead, Thread, Rib. Slide a small bead onto the hook, wrap a thread body, rib with fine wire, and whip finish. That's it
How do you fish a Zebra Midge?
Fish the Zebra Midge as the dropper in a two-nymph rig, 18-24 inches below a heavier point fly. On tailwaters, fish it in the film suspended under a small dry fly. Trout eat midges year-round but especially in winter when nothing else is hatching.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Midges
- Sizes
- 16–26
- Colors
- Black, Red, Olive, Copper
- Weight
- Silver tungsten, Black tungsten, Copper tungsten
- Hook Styles
- Scud/midge hook, Standard nymph
- Imitates
- midge pupae, midge larvae, Chironomids
- Water Types
- tailwater, spring creek, lake
- Origin
- South Platte River guides, early 2000s
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
Effective on These Rivers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Midges
- Sizes
- 16–26
- Colors
- Black, Red, Olive, Copper
- Weight
- Silver tungsten, Black tungsten, Copper tungsten
- Hook Styles
- Scud/midge hook, Standard nymph
- Imitates
- midge pupae, midge larvae, Chironomids
- Water Types
- tailwater, spring creek, lake
- Origin
- South Platte River guides, early 2000s
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers