midge
Zebra Midge
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.
Variants
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History
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.
Tying overview
Slide a small bead onto the hook, wrap a thread body, rib with fine wire, and whip finish. That's it — simplicity is the point.
Fishing tips
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.