Midge Patterns | A Side by Side Comparison with the Natural
Because I live literally a stones throw from a trout stream I am able to constantly acquaint myself with actual water born specimens. I keep them in test tubes filled with a formalin solution which is the safer version of formaldehyde. Season after season I see changes that occur based on global warming, winter damage, summer drought, and increases in dioxin levels in the watershed.
Midges are however somewhat resistant to a lot of natural and human biological hazards.
Lets break it down once again with the adult midge and its most discernible attributes.
Abdomen: Extends to the rear beyond its wings, waxy and segmented, tapered like a carrot
Thorax: The darkest value body part (two hook eye distances down the shank)
Wings: Transparent, lay in a delta geometry, connected to thorax near “the business end”
Legs: Three pairs connected at thorax extend to the total length of the abdomen and forward
Figure 1.
CB's Adult Smudge
Hook: TMC 531 Dry Fly Hook
Thread: Veevus 16/0 dun
Body: (abdomen): Peacock quill natural or dyed olive, ginger, medium dun
Legs: Knotted pheasant tail natural or dyed ginger, olive, dun, medium dun, black
Wing: Tiemco Aero Dry Wing medium dun, lt. dun, ginger, with or without CDC over wing
Dubbing: SLF Squirrel or Beaver Belly
The Natural: This is a side by side comparison and meant to be a study of simple geometries and scale uniformity. Tis specimen is from the Mad River during the month of March 2025
Figure 2.
Bushwhacker
Hook: TMC 531 Dry Fly Hook
Thread: Veevus 16/0 dun
Body: (abdomen): Peacock quill natural or dyed olive, ginger, medium dun
Legs: Knotted pheasant tail natural or dyed ginger, olive, dun, medium dun, black
Wing: Hen tips lt. dun, lay down in a delta profile (as seen in Natural above)
Hackle: Light dun, 3 or 4 wraps is all you need
Dubbing: SLF Squirrel or Beaver Belly
Simple and to the point observations are always helpful to stay on track especially when visualizing and evolving your own patterns. Happy Midging!
~Clint Bova
