4 Midge Patterns You Need In Your Fly Box This Winter

On the day this article is being written, it’s been snowing all day long in Denver, Colorado. Yesterday, the sun was shining and Fall was in full swing. But today, it feels as though winter is upon us. I’m not sure what normal people think about when they see a winter wonderland outside their office window… But for me (and I would assume many anglers throughout the western states), cold weather tailwater fishing is on the brain.

That said, few of us are looking forward to it. Ultra light tippets, tiny flies, and super technical fishing in harsh conditions - not exactly ideal for a pleasant day on the water. But enduring those conditions is the cost of doing business when it comes to fishing western tailwaters during the winter months.

Speaking about those tiny flies, here are 4 patterns that can help you take your nymphing game to the next level this year:

#1 Neon Nightmare

Fluorescent Pink; #18 - #22

While this basic midge pattern might not catch your eye, it certainly does attract the gaze of fickle tailwater trout. The Neon Nightmare is a cold weather killer from southern Colorado-based fly fishing guide Matt McCannel.

This fly is not supposed to match the hatch. It was actually designed to stand out from the hatch. McCannel created this pattern to tie on during heavy winter midge hatches, when trout are gorging on micro meals. He suggests fishing it as part of a tandem nymph rig, paired with a more natural bug as the trailing fly.

#2 Medallion Midge

#20 - #24

Leave it to fly fishing guide and South Platte savant Pat Dorsey to create one of the most realistic midge pupa imitations to date. The pattern mimics a suspended midge pupa, the stage of the midge life cycle Dorsey believes trout eat 10X more than the adults or larva.

Use a light fluorocarbon tippet and fish this pattern high in the water column for best results.

#3 Mercury RS-2

Gray; #18 - #24

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Why do I need another RS-2 variation when I already have a full box of them?” Well, with this particular pattern, it’s worth making the space.

The RS-2 is arguably the most effective fly in existence, especially out West. The Mercury RS-2 is Pat Dorsey’s spin on the pattern, which includes a glass mercury bead for a little extra realism and flash. This pattern is also available in a flashback version and it’s somehow even more deadly than the original.

#4 Top Secret Midge

#20 - #24

This pattern is such an assassin, I wrote an entire article about it!

Another killer creation of Pat Dorsey. The Top Secret Midge was designed to imitate the hordes of hatching midges on his home waters: Colorado’s South Platte River. The segmented body and realistic profile make this midge the ultimate Hail Mary pass for those super slow days. Even when bug activity is minimal, the Top Secret Midge will usually do the trick. If there’s a little cloud cover; even better!

Fly FishLarkin WilsonPatternsComment