Midge Fly Patterns Are Essential to Angling Success

Whether heading out west for a week of fly fishing in Montana or stalking South Island brown trout in New Zealand, savvy anglers always carry a few essential midge patterns in their fly boxes. Midges are active year-round in cold-water trout fisheries and are a constant presence in a trout's diet, especially in tailwater and spring creek fisheries with silt-lined bottoms.

Effective imitations of these aquatic insects, across various stages of their lifecycle, can often fool even the most selective trout when presented with a well-executed cast. Slow-rising trout in the flat water section of a run can rarely resist a low-profile, simple tie like the CDC Transitional Midge. Nymphing gin-clear water with a Brassie variation has been producing double-digit tailwater trout for decades.

An ideal midge fly box should include a well-rounded selection of nymphs and dries in various colors. Most midge flies are tied on light-wire hooks in sizes 18-22, but they can be tied larger or smaller for fishery-specific adaptations. Here are our top 10 must-have midge fly patterns that we always carry for trout fishing around the world:

Best Midge Fly Patterns

1. Griffith's Gnat – This incredibly simple and effective dry fly dates back to the early days of modern fly fishing. Named after George Griffith, one of the founders of Trout Unlimited, the "Gnat" has become a steadfast producer in trout waters worldwide. Often used to imitate midge clusters during winter and spring, this fly is a go-to choice and is commonly tied in sizes 14-20.
2. CDC Transitional Midge - Rene Harrop, of Trouthunter fame on Idaho’s Henry's Fork, is credited with developing this winter-fishing gem. CDC feathers mimic the wings and legs of an emerging or adult midge, and their natural buoyancy keeps the fly low on the water’s surface while adding contrast for the angler. This fly is commonly tied in sizes 18-22.
3. Klinkhammer Midge – Adapted from Hans Van Klinken’s original Klinkhammer pattern, this parachute-style emerger sits low in the surface film. The curved hook shank mimics an emerging midge, and the parachute post increases visibility for the angler. Typically tied in black or brown sizes 16-18, variations with holographic tinsel work well in Montana during the winter.
4. Brassie - A few wraps of copper wire around a curved shank hook, and you have a "Brassie." Pioneers of nymph fishing with midge pupa patterns developed this fly on Colorado’s tailwater trout fisheries, where trout are notoriously selective feeders. The Brassie creates a realistic midge pupa imitation with weight and a hint of flash. This simple pattern quickly became a standard among expert anglers in the 1980s and 1990s. Brassies today come in red, black, olive, and two-tone colorways, often with black dubbing or peacock herl for the thorax.
5. Mole Midge – Charlie Craven's adaptation of his Mole Fly pattern, the Mole Midge sits low in the surface film to imitate an emerging midge. It's ideal for fishing during winter midge hatches on western tailwaters and spring creeks. Tied in sizes 16-22, the fly has a stripped peacock herl abdomen and a CDC puff for added movement and floatation.
   
6. Top Secret Midge – Credited to legendary Colorado fly fishing guide Pat Dorsey, the Top Secret Midge imitates emerging midges. It’s an essential tailwater fly for anglers across the western U.S. Use it as a dropper on a tandem nymph rig or in the surface film to fool selective trout. The "secret" is the Glamour Madeira wing material, and it comes in black, olive, gray, or brown bodies.
7. Desert Storm - Developed in the 1990s by western fly guides on New Mexico’s San Juan River, the Desert Storm is an effective alternative to traditional midge patterns during off-color water conditions. It can be tied with or without a bead for added weight and works in clear water, too. Fluorescent orange or green thread bodies with pearl Krystal Flash or Flashabou ribbing are tied in sizes 18-24.
8. Zebra Midge – Originally tied in black and silver by Lee’s Ferry guide Ted Wheeling, the Zebra Midge is now available in many color variations, with or without beads. Traditionally used as a dropper on two-nymph rigs, its tungsten-beaded versions are popular year-round. A Montana fly fishing guide favorite uses two strands of Ultra Wire—one black and one white—for added weight and realistic body segmentation.
9. Disco Midge – A staple for anglers fishing slow, clear tailwater fisheries, the Disco Midge has been fooling finicky trout for decades. Often used as a dropper under a strike indicator, this unweighted midge pupa is a timeless classic. Red, green, or pearl Krystal Flash strands make up the abdomen, and a dubbed or peacock herl thorax finishes the fly.
10. Jujubee Midge – Another Colorado tailwater classic from Charlie Craven, the Jujubee Midge features Supreme Hair strands for the abdomen, creating a segmented appearance. This pattern is adaptable to a wide range of color schemes, with red and zebra being favorites. Olive, rust, and blue variations are also popular.

The best midge patterns are simple ties in black, olive, or red color schemes that can be fished throughout the water column. Midge pupa patterns are especially effective before and during a hatch, which typically occurs in low-light hours. While larvae are available year-round, adult midges are only on the water for a few hours at the end of their lifecycle. Anglers fishing from Alaska to Argentina will benefit from having these essential midge patterns in their fly boxes on their next outing.