I was fishing the White River in northern Arkansas a few weeks ago and the topic of must-have flies for winter fishing came up in conversation. I learned to fly fish in the 90s on the White and Norfork Rivers, and I can tell you those waters taught me a handful of flies can catch fish in tailwaters just about anywhere you go.
In fact, I’ve tied so many sowbug, scuds and egg patterns I might be able to do it in my sleep. I know I’ve been half asleep more than a few times in a pre-dawn cabin hovering over a vise and clutching a cup of coffee in one hand and wrapping thread with the other, frantically cranking out a few extra flies “just in case.”
Anyway, back to the conversation in northern Arkansas. Fly patterns were being thrown out in rapid-fire succession – my handful of favorites, some I have yet to try, and then the Zebra Midge. How did I forget the Zebra Midge?
Tiny but effective, a size 16 to 22 Zebra Midge is a staple in any anglers fly box from fall to early spring, and a must-fish in the middle of winter. It’s minimalism at its best – tiny hook, tiny bead, a little bit of thread and a few wraps of wire. Of course, there are variations, including one I’ll write about a little later, but man, they’re simple. And crazy effective.
Check out this Zebra Midge tying video from Fly Fish Food. Couldn’t be easier.
About the Zebra Midge
According to fly history, an Arizona fly fishing guide near Lees Ferry on the Colorado River debuted the fly sometime around 1996. Ted Welling knew the tailwater was full of chironomids (midges). So he came up with an incredibly simple pattern – bead head, thread body and wire wrap.
Fish the Zebra Midge on light tippet – 6X or so. You have to. You have to get the line through the fly’s tiny eye, after all. Also, a long tippet will give you a bit of a shock absorber between the fish and you.
My favorite way to fish the Zebra Midge is with a two-fly setup. Tie an attractor of your choice, maybe a Prince Nymph or egg pattern if that’s your thing, and use the Zebra Midge as the dropper fly.
Now go Fish Out Loud. – Chad
