Phantom Midge

 

Gestural flies are often on the bigger side but as they say the devil is in the details. Midges are a year round preoccupation for me and no doubt there is a pattern for every season I fish. The above photo illustrates how even a size #20-#24 can create a buggy silhouette and fool some of the most weary trout. Beaver and fox guard hairs provide a great medium to create the illusion of movement to even the smallest of flies. Knotted legs from dyed peacock hackle adds to the effect without overloading the silhouette. This pattern is not hard to tie it just takes a little practice to get the proportions correct when stacking the CDC.

Phantom Midge-

1) Hook- TMC 212Y emerger hook

2) Dubbing- Beaver Belly dubbing mixed with guard hairs dyed black

3) Ribbing- Mylar, orange, gold, silver, or green 

4) Thread- Veevus thread 16/0

5) Wing- Light gray CDC

6) Legs- Knotted black pheasant tail

Check out my new YouTube Channel for more fly fishing artifacts:  The Art of Fly Fishing

Thanks for Letting me share! ~Clint Bova

Check out my YouTube channel for “fly pattern shorts” click on the link below:




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