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.
Configurations
every way this fly is tied · 1 spec · tap any cell to edit your numbers · multi-select for bulk actions
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.