Magic Midge

The Magic Midge is a really easy pattern to tie and works great!

Start on a scud hook with a clear Killer Caddis bead at the front. I like to use an olive or chartreuse thread on the pattern to match the bug's color. Once your thread is started behind the bead, secure a piece of chartreuse holographic (holo) tinsel behind the bead. Next, tie in a piece of clear microtubing.

It can be helpful to start the fly with the hook tilted at an exaggerated angle to make it easier to wrap your materials deep into the bend. Begin securing the holo tinsel and microtubing to your hook shank until you are into the hook bend. Then return your thread to about an eye length behind the bead.

Next, take overlapping wraps of the halo tinsel over the hook shank until you are an eye length behind the bead. Secure the tinsel and remove the excess. Now, take a few tight wraps of the microtubing on the bare hook shank deep into the hook bend, and then proceed taking tight, touching wraps until you are an eye length behind the bead. Secure the tubing and remove the excess.

At this point, you can reposition your hook in the vise. I add a thin coat of UV resin over the fly to help make the chartreuse holo tinsel stand out. Finally, tie in two peacock herls to use as the thorax. Take touching wraps of the herls until you are right behind the glass bead. Secure the herls, remove the excess, and whip finish. The Magic Midge is ready to go!