TMC 518 Midge Fly Tying Hook Experiments – PART 1

Horse Hair Midge Larvae – Dun Color

 

Hook: TMC 518 #30 (I like this size for use with horse hair)

Thread: Sheer 14/0 Dun

Abdomen and thorax: White Horse Hair

Tie the horse hair (moistening it a little first) at the beginning of the hook shank and follow down the bend to get a curve. I tie it in along the top of the hook shank. Wind the thread back to the hook eye, make a half hitch to secure and put the bobbin in the bobbin holder to make it easier to continue. Wind the horse hair back to the hook eye and tie it in. I opted for using varnish to make the whole fly more durable and showing the transparency.

 

Trying to show the transparency better of the pattern

         

          This is the first I've made as an experiment. I think though that it will be attracting trout that feeds on midge pupae or larvae. I am continuing the experiment with other colors and more pupae like. Tapered bodies for example.

 

          To me the result looks very much like midge larvae that I found hundreds of in the stomach of a good size trout. That memory has been part of the inspiration for this experiment. The fly looks brown in the pictures but it's the dun color of the thread that gives it color. The lighting I have isn't quite adequate to give the pictures the true colors.

 

To make hookups easier I have bent the hook

so I get the tip a little offset. Se picture below.

 

Pictures of the second larvae I've tied. A little tapered otherwise it's the same.

This picture shows the offset tip of the hook (manually made)

 

          As this just is an experiment at present I'm more than happy to get some input from you who read this. I'm kind of preparing for the next season and my goal is to take good trout on tiny flies. Aiming at 20" trout taken on a TMC 518 size #30 or similar.

          Hoping for some input from fly fishermen that are more experienced in fishing with very tiny flies than I am. Thanks beforehand!

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