Tiny flies for big fish - the history of the Zebra Midge

Likely derived from Dick Thompson's TDC (Thompson's Delectable Chironomid), the Zebra Midge is one of the easiest, most effective flies out there. Can be fished year-round in rivers and stillwaters to equal effect.

Hook: #16-22 curved
Bead: 2.0 mm
Thread: 70 denier, body color
Rib: Small wire, silver or gold
Tail: Crystal flash (optional)
Body: Thread

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Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. Thanks for stopping by.

[krissyverstad]

Nice tip with the wire! If there was an MVP award for the 20/20 club, the zebra midge would have to be it.

[toddslichter]

Great tip on the wire rib...thanks for sharing Matt.

[epsieblaine]

Hey Matt great job for Thur. fly.A lot of people don't realise the importance of midges.I allways have a midge box in my sling pack.A tip for viewers get a magnetic fly box and a pair of twezers for midges. Midges work all year, but are great flies in winter mounths.Comes a warm day in the winter, if you look close you will see a hatch.We call it midging.On the surface there will be a female and a male will latch on to her, then another and another, and soon there will be a midge cluster.That's when the Griffiths Nat comes into play.I have tied thousands of midges.The zebra midge was the first one I tied.I thought to myself, this won't catch fish I was dead wrong.Large trout will take them at times.Tie them down to #24s up to #16s.I could go on for hours about midges, that's how great they are.Have a great day Matt and everyone. Ken

[mitchbain]

Great little fly and thanks to hear reference to Kelly Davidson, know him very well and a super fisherman.

[crowdaddy]

I love tying and fishing chironomids. Everyone should have some of these in their boxes. Thanks for some history. Thanks Matt.

[jamesvatter]

Purple. The secret weapon of fly colors! Good stuff, Matt.
"Just make sure you hit the point of your hook. That's always fun."

[TheKlickitat]

There are lots of teachers in this world. The great teachers have a gift of presenting information that is concise yet complete while captivating your attention. Your channel is addictive for those of us who want to learn. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You sir, truly are one of the greats.

[ybarrajc]

Good morning Matt, I’ve never tied one but that’s going to change its now on my 2022 list.

[Wyamike]

“Make sure you hit the point if your hook, that’s always fun “ 😂😂 I usually add and expletive in there when I nick the hook point🤣. Great video as usual Matt. A great fly to have in your fly box! Thanks again !!

[michaelmeneghetti]

I very much like your technique for tapering the body. Very effective and smooth transition. Thank you.

[damdatsdope]

The amount of information coming from this channel is priceless great video as always

[karljones]

Good morning Matt. Cool little fly. Will need to tie up some of these for the box. Thanks for sharing this one. Have a great day my friend.

[ralphnicosia-rusin]

Thanks Matt for doing all that research into the history of this fly. I expect understanding how fly patterns evolved is a great foundation for inspiring future innovations.

[fishreelaxfishing]

Great History for this pattern. Midges are reliable producers for our tail waters in TN, lots of 18’s in the toolkit.

[josephwolf]

Enjoyed listening to the background information. I am a newby on tying flies. Wonderful easy to follow instructions. Thank you

[harryjoesather]

i love how you hit the hook and just keep rolling with it lot of guys would cut that out but thats what i like about you and your videos that you show mistakes happen and we are only human. thanks matt . have a great weekend. and as always i will be watching. see ya joe.

[marshallbaldwin]

Such a great and easy to tie midge. Thank you Sir Matt.

[jimholland]

Hey Matt and good morning, The Zebra Midge was my first fly I learn to tie and I love them. Sometimes I use a killer Caddis smoke gray bead but I like that rainbow bead. Nice tips this morning and enjoyed the history 👍☕️☕️

[ConorMakes]

I do love the origin and history behind the fly's you tie Matt. Thanks again for the video

[davehall]

One of my favorite and very productive fly patterns
My largest rainbow came off of this also
Thanks for the video Matt