We often see pictures of midges with their wings pulled together and resting on the back of their abdomen. The wings often splay when they are stuck in the surface film along
creeks, rivers, and ponds. Typically the pictures do not capture that
struggle that the insect experiences. The wings of a midge are proportionately shorter than their abdomens and angle out and back like the delta wing on a fighter jet. The following pattern is one that I've developed myself over the years and really has saved me on the stream from getting skunked especially in the late fall (click on photos below to enlarge) This is a relatively easy pattern to tie and master in a few hours. Pay close attention to proportions and you will find it is a very useful pattern year round.
Delta Wing Midge~
Hook: TMC 531sizes #18-22
Thread: Veevus 16/0 black
Body: SLF Spikey Squirrel black, clear Uni Mylar stretched thin
Legs: Knotted pheasant tail black (double knotted segmentation)
Wing: Med or light gray Hen Tips
Hackle: Black
Tie in mylar to your hook then dub loosely your SLF squirrel three quarters up hook shank, Wrap mylar and tie off
Tie in pheasant tail legs two on either side of thorax area
Tie in Hen tips that are length of hook shank or shorter. Dub in a tiny doughnut collar just in front of the set of wings. This will keep them splayed back towards the end of the fly.
Wrap a horizontal hackle collar with your black hackle, three or four turns is more than enough.
This is a relatively easy fly to tie and the knotted legs give your fly stability and splay to form little outriggers to keep your fly on top of the surface film.
This fly has been a blessing and has saved me on the river countless times especially when the fish are very finicky!
~Clint Joseph Bova
