Well, MIDGES (from Maine Fly Fishing)- the most prolific bug in,on and around water…especially NOW…(Bienvenidos a todos pescador con mosca de Argentina …)
Other “CRAZY PEOPLE” who Fly Fish in the SNOW…

Michael, freezing on the Owens River in January. 2004…
Here are some patterns I have whipped up based on the proven ties by a bunch of fellows I will mention in the text of this post . Here is some background on the bugs which Jeremy Barella produced for FAOL:

DIPTERA
This – just in (my inbox) from Tom Loe at Sierra Drifters (12.05.09):
Hot Creek:
Access continues to be excellent and this is a great time to fish here for love struck browns! Take your time and scout out the open runs and channels in the weeds. The low sun angle this time of year gives you more latitude for sight fishing the staged up brownies. Any significant snowfall this time of year will make the canyon section a pain in the caboose to hike into so get it while you can. Work scud, egg, or dubbed nymph patterns with red or orange built in.
Red or Orange – Hmmmmm…

PEARL MIDGE
HOOK: TMC 2488, # 18 – #24
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0, Sheer White
ABDOMEN: Pearl Krystal Flash
BEAD: Killer Caddis, Black, x-sm
Based on a Pat Dorsey pattern that was developed for Colorado waters…Might look a bit like this.

AQUACHIRONO MIDGE
HOOK: Mustad, C49S , #18 -#22
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0 Sheer White and Black
ABDOMEN: White Tying Thread
RIB: 1 strand of Chironomid Pearl Braid Red
THORAX: Peacock Herl
BEAD: Spirit River, Ruby Red, X-SM
COATING: 2 coats of Aquahead on abdomen before tying in Peacock Herl twisted over black thread
I tied this pattern specifically for the East Walker River where I have enjoyed success with red ribbed midges on a white base abdomen. Chironomid Pearl Braid comes in many colors from Hareline. It is fragile. I use the Aquahead to enhance fly durability and to add a medium of translucency to the finished product.

BROWN BRAID JF
HOOK: Mustad, C49S, #18 – # 24
THREAD: Gordon Griffith, 14/0, Sheer Brown
RIB: Chironomid Braid Pearl Peacock
WING: 2 Strands of Pearl Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
THORAX: SLF PRISM Peacock
BEAD: Killer Caddis, Gun Metal, X-SM
COATING: Aquahead
Based on the Jude Duran, Johnny Flash Midge which originated on the San Juan River. I added an SLF PRISM thorax (thank you Davy Wotton) because this material is extremely effective on ANY pattern to which it is affixed. That has been my experience. The Gun Metal Bead has worked for me on many patterns that I have used on the Owens River…why mess with a good thing? I have the utmost confidence in this Fly…

VIN KF HOT
HOOK: Daiichi, 1130,#18- # 20
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0 Sheer Red
ABDOMEN: Tying thread
RIB: Rusty Brown Krystal Flash, 2 trands, twisted, 6 turns
OVERABDOMEN: UTC, Vinyl Rib, MDG, Clear
BEAD: Spirit River, Ruby Red, X-SM
Another pattern for the East Walker River in cold weather, similar to many patterns in Red that are used on the San Juan. I like the definition that Vinyl Rib provides to the fly. A number of San Juan Red Midge Pupa and Larva may be viewed on this site:
Mike Mora

TUBE FLASHER SLF
HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #22
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0, Sheer Black
ABDOMEN: UTC Mylar Tinsel, Silver side, SM
RIB: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Amber
THORAX: SLF Prism, Olive/Brown
BEAD: Gold, 5/64 or 1/16
A Davy Wotton pattern for the White River in Arkansas – they work just fine on Eastern Sierra Tailwaters.It may also be tied using Black, Red , Green or Peacock tubing using the appropriate SLF PRISM for the Thorax – appropriate being in the mind of the TROUT…

ICE CREME SLF (Black)
HOOK: Mustad C49S, #18-# 20
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0, Sheer Black
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
RIB: Lagartun ,Silver, SM or X-SM
THORAX: SLF PRISM Black
BEAD: Spirit River, White, 5/64 or 1/16
I tied these up for use on the Owens River for late February and early March when there is a preponderance of tiny Black Midges in the River’s Biomass. They would also be effective fished deep on some high elevation lakes that are in the backcountry – later in the year…

ICE TUBE
HOOK: Mustad, C49S, # 18 -# 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths, 14/0. Sheer Black
ABDOMEN: Chironomid Braid Pearl Black
RIB: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Black, 6-7 turns
THORAX: 50/50 Mix, Black Ice Dub and SLF PRISM Black
BEAD: Silver, 5/64 or 1/16
Another pattern for the East Walker and Owens River for the Winter and into early Spring. They have not seen this one before… 

MB CHIRONO JF
HOOK: Mustad, C49S, # 18 – # 20
THREAD: Uni, 8/0, Camel
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
RIB: Chironomid Braid Pearl Chartreuse
COATING: Aquahead, 2 coats
WING: Pearl Krystal Flash, 3 strands
THORAX: Olive /Brown Ice Dub
Bead: Spirit River Metallic Brown, SM
A midge when the Trout want shades of BROWN in the Johnny Flash style. It would also be a passable BWO pattern in the Spring in some spots on the Lower “O”…

KEITH’S PURPLE DISBELIEF
HOOK: Mustad C49S, #18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffiths 14/0 Sheer Black, UTC 70, Dark Gray
ABDOMEN: Gray Tying Thread
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Clear
RIB: Wapsi, Wine, X-SM
WING: Royal Blue Krystal Flash, 3 strands
THORAX: ICE DUB, UV Dun
BEAD: Spirit River, Charcoal Metallic, SM
There is an acquaintance of mine named KEITH who squawked “PURPLE?” when he saw this pattern on my FB page. Well, he will squawk directly to his vise when I post some photos on his wall of just what this fly, in this color, can do. And, having named it after him, I will live rent free in his head…forever…heh,heh – This is an old RAM Caddis color…It has resurfaced on the Madison in aMayfly pattern known as the ” Purple Haze“…
He caught this 27″ FINGERLING, on the above pattern, in the Lower Kings River the week of 2.18.2013…
Available at: MRFC

CHARTY TUBE
HOOK: Daiichi, 1140, # 18 -# 22
THREAD: Danville 6/0, Chartreuse – Gordon Griffiths 14/0 Sheer Black
UNDER RIB: Chironomid Braid Pearl Chartreuse, 5 turns
OVER ABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Chartreuse
THORAX: One strand Peacock Herl twisted around black thread
BEAD: Killer Caddis, Caddis Green
Someone once said, ” If it is CHARTREUSE it works”…THE END

CREME RB OZ
HOOK: TMC 200R, # 18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer White, 14/0 Brown
ABDOMEN: White tying thread
RIB: 3 strands twisted Pearl Krystal Flash
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Cream
THORAX: Brown Ostrich Herl
BEAD: Killer Caddis, Rootbeer, SM or X-SM
Wanted a Midge in Cream with a hint of gas beneath, hence the Pearl KF and some motion at the thorax. This may work as a good Micro Caddis at the right time of the year,,,

TUBE # 47
HOOK: MUSTAD, C49S, # 18 -# 22
THREAD: Danville # 47, 6/0, Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer Brown
TAIL: 1 strand of Pearl Krystal Flash
Abdomen: # 47 Tying Thread
OVER ABDOMEN: Hareline Salcup’s Micro Tubing Pheasant Tail
RIB: Wapsi Silver X-SM or Lagartun X Fine
THORAX: Olive/Brown Ice Dub
WINGCASE: 6 Strands of Pearl FireFly
BEAD: Black Nickel, 5/64 or 1/16
A small Midge or Mayfly pattern that has that magical ingredient of Danville # 47 thread. This is an adaptation of the Vince Wilcox VW pattern…his flies slay…

GB HOLO CHARTY
Hook: Daiichi, 1130, #18 -# 22
Thread: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer Olive
ABDOMEM: SLF PRISM Light Olive
RIB: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Olive
THORAX: Ice Dub Caddis Green
WING: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Clear White
BEAD: Spirit River, Emerald, SM or X-SM
Flashy – in that color that seems to work just about…anywhere…

GLASSHEAD OLIVE GILLIE
HOOK: TMC 200R, # 18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0, Sheer Olive
BREATHER: Sparkle Emerger Yarn Clear/White
TAIL: 1 strand Pearl Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Clear
RIB: Wapsi Silver Wire, X-sm
WINGPADS: Goose Biots , Tan Orange or Brown
THORAX: ICE DUB ,Peacock
BEAD: Mercury Silver, Spirit River, X-SM
I have pictured this pattern in a previous post. It may be tied in a great number of colors. This fly is a good one…

BLACK RB GILLIE
HOOK: Daiichi 1130 or Mustad C49S, # 18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer Black
TAIL: 1 Strand, Pearl Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
RIB: Wapsi, Red Metallic Wire, X-SM
WINGPADS: Goose Biot, Tan, Brown or Orange
THORAX: SLF PRISM Peacock
BEAD: Killer Caddis, Scarlet
A variation on the Gille without the breathers at the bend. One’s imagination could drift…

RED KEY
HOOK: Mustad C49S, # 18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0 Sheer Red
TAIL: 1 Strand Purple Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
RIB: 3 Strands purple Krystal Flash ,Twisted
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Clear
WING: Sparkle Emerger Yarn Clear/ White
THORAX: ICE DUB Black
Another in the series of Red Midges that I use. This one is for the East Walker River, below the “Glory Hole”.

PALINISTA – (apologies to EVA)
HOOK: Mustad C49S, #18 -#20
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0, Red, White
TAIL: 1 Strand Pearl Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN:White Thread
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing, Blue
RIB: Wapsi Silver Wire, X-SM
WING: Grizzly Krystal Flash Back and White
THORAX: Arizona Diamond Hair Pearl Green or Blue
BEAD: Silver, 5/64 or 1/16
OK, I know…the colors are proven – Rainbows like blue…and, it might even work in Argentina…

RUSTY RED RIB
HOOK: Mustad C49S, #18 – # 22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith’s 14/0, Sheer Red
TAIL: Rusty Brown Krystal Flash
ABDOMEN: Tying Thread
OVERABDOMEN: Hareline Stalcup’s Micro Tubing ,Clear
RIB: Wapsi, Red Metallic, X-SM
WING: Sparkle Emerger Yarn, Clear/White
THORAX: Firestar Red/Orange
BEAD: Ruby Red, X-SM
A firey Red Midge for all Eastern Sierra waters and beyond…

SIMPLE FLO
HOOK: TMC 2488, # 18 – # 24
ABDOMEN: UTC 70, Fl. White
BEAD: Killer Caddis Black, SM or X-SM
Yes, it works….
AND, FROM FEB., 2009

Hot Spot Midge:
Thread: Gordon Griffith’s , Black 14/0
Hook: TMC 2487, Daiichi 1130, #18-22
Abdomen: Wapsi Ultra 70, Black
Rib: X-Fine Largutan wire, Gold or Copper
Shuck: Pearl Krystal Flash
Thorax: Danville 6/0 Fl. Orange Thread – (coat with Aquaflex)
Bead: Copper or Gold
I tied these up to create a ” pop” rather than using the standard Tiger or Zebra Midge for the Owens and East Walker Rivers…Nice!!! Some “other” folks seem to like this pattern too…
MORE MIDGES
BEING DIPTERA II
DIPTERA III
Time to get crackin’ on some “EVIL WEEVILS“…
PT/TB 
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