Midge Flies

About

Midges Quick Picks Best All-Around: Tungsten Zebra Midge Fly - Great for anglers who need a dependable tiny nymph for rivers, tailwaters, and ponds. The tungsten bead helps it get down quickly, making it an easy “start here” midge in multiple colors and sizes. Best for Tailwaters: Jujubee Midge Fly - Built for picky trout in clear, technical water where a slim profile matters. The SuperHair-style body gives a clean segmented look and holds up well when you’re cycling through fish and snags. Best Dry Fly Midge: Griffiths Gnat Dry Fly - The go-to when trout are sipping midges on top and refusing bigger dries. Its buggy, high-floating profile suggests a cluster of adults, which can be key during steady midge hatches. Best for Stillwater: Ice Cream Cone Chironomid Fly - A strong choice for lakes and ponds when chironomids are the main meal. The bead-and-ribbed build helps it sink and show a clear, simple silhouette that stillwater trout recognize. Best in the Film: Juju Emerger Fly - Ideal when fish are feeding just under the surface and standard dries keep getting refused. The CDC wing and slim body fish well in that “in-between” zone as an emerger or a low-riding dry. How to Choose Midges Dry vs. emerger vs. subsurface midge Action: Start by matching where you see fish feeding, on top, in the film, or down in the lane. If you see clean nose sips, lean on dries like a Griffiths Gnat; if you see subtle bulges or refusals, shift to emergers; if fish are glued to the bottom (or it’s cold water), fish a midge pupa/larva pattern under an indicator or on a tight line. Bead / tungsten vs. beadless Best for: Tungsten patterns when you need to get small flies down fast in deeper runs, fast current, or when you’re building a two-fly rig. Avoid if: Fish are riding high in the column or you’re targeting ultra-shallow slicks, go lighter and control depth with split shot or a micro indicator adjustment. Size and color: keep it simple Action: For most trout scenarios, a small range o