My deadliest midge emerger
Above photo: A #19 TMC 212Y provides a wonderful canvas for this midge emerger pattern I call the Vesper Midge. A light wire and a massive 5x gape is a winning combination with very positive hookups. The TMC 212Y is one of my favorite midge emerger hooks.
My Vesper Midge is a pattern that I have used for many seasons after experimenting with the TMC 212Y back in 1999. I originally used a parachute hackle configuration. My original pattern proved pretty successful, but I wanted a more emerger-like profile. Replacing the parachute hackle with a CDC loop wing over the last few decades has proven itself to be a killing fly and also provides a more impressionistic emerger silhouette.
The TMC 212Y was specifically designed in Japan for very selective trout such as the Japanese Yamame, aka Cherry trout, in the Hokkaido and Honshu regions. It's a very stealthy hook for the most weary trout in very low and clear water conditions. It's a hook that fills about 40% of my fly boxes. This hook is currently very difficult to find in the US, so the Hanak H 390 BL in sizes #18-#20 is a suitable option. Keep in mind that the wire on the 390 is slightly heavier, so adjust your CDC loop wing using 2 feathers instead of one.
Above photo: Using Kapok dubbing for a thorax and a few turns of peacock herl keeps this minuscule emerger afloat. The single-feather CDC loop wing also provides a very convincing profile and keeps it tracking perfectly in the surface film.
~Vesper Midge~
Hook: TMC 212Y #17-#21 or Hanak H 390 BL
Thread: Red Uni, Black UTC Ultra 70
Rib: Extra fine silver Lagartun French wire
Shuck: Cream Antron
Trailing fibers: Dark Teal
Loop wing: x1 premium CDC feather
Thorax: Black Kapok dubbing and 4 turns of peacock herl
This is a relatively simple pattern, but, as usual, one must be mindful of proportion when working with these smaller midge patterns. Keep everything tight and tidy and get into the habit of counting wraps for consistency. As the summer progresses, these little flies are a silver bullet for weary midging trout. These are NOT search patterns. I use these emergers for rising trout holding in shallow seams and pools. My Vesper midges are what I typically pull out of the box for sighting in on Browns that are quietly tipping and sipping.
Thanks for letting me share!
Clint Bova
