One of my go to's for the last 50 years is the Griffith's Gnat. It just works. I caught my three biggest Rainbow Trout on the San Juan back to back. they were all from 9 to 15 lbs. It was the start of a heck of a week too.
I'm one of those old guys you mentioned! I think you are bringing more 20-somethings into the fly fishing community with these great videos....keep up the good work!
Photos of the pupa, emerger, and adult stages at the very end sold me on your channel. And the fast motion tying! Got it! Done! Really entertaining and practical! Thanks!
Been flyfishing 62 years. Bave watched a number of your vids. This one was really good. Love your humor and excitement. Love those midges. Nothing like taking trout on the tiny stuff. Remember this. I dont remember who said it, but "There are no new flies. Just variations of old ones". 🤣
That is the fun of tying. I dont believe there is any fly that I have tied that hasnt caught a fish. Just some have caught more. Guess that is why the classic hares ear is still a favorite after 200 years, and the Adams is nearly 100. And both have spawned so many variations.
Love the video man, appreciate your breakdown of midges also your take on midges you seem like a cool dude sounds like you love fly fishing like I do very cool.🎉
Once again great video!!! If you listen real close you can hear my envy growing. We will be up In Taos next year . And God willing we will get to fish Roscoe ny, and all these places we dream about
Nicely done. The photographs of the actually bug really sets it in my mind. You look like you're having fun so that makes your videos all the better. I look forward to watching the rest of your collection. Thanks.
A few years ago in spring we were fishing the Bighorn. The midge hatch was so heavy that you could not see your fly on the surface. That evening, I tied a #22 caddis bend hook with black thread and a Flash Blend sparse wing. The next day we were getting strikes on every cast. We did not hook-up every time because of the small hook, but did land a ton of browns. The best midge emerger pattern ever.
Good stuff right there. Alot of folks dont know about the midge and in winter time its one of the most productive flies out there for large fatty bows and browns :)
Couldn’t agree more. Midges are the most productive flies in my collection. Midge emergers are especially effective on still water when trout are “porpoising”. I like the foam post versions in #20-24.
This is a great video. Thank you. I'm going to tie all of these while I watch some Netflix tonight. I have a very small creek I'm going to this weekend and I'm loading up a box. Thanks again!
My home water is a still water with a low head damn that was built over a older earth and rock dam. Pond is 3-5 feet deep and bass are splashing and rolling chasing what I did not know, until I notice 1,000s of midges on the shaded walls of the spillway!! So I will be tying some of these up for bass fishing !!
Colorado tailwaters ... cannot live without midges, period! Some folks come to CO and fish midges that are way too big! Size does matter. Fantastic vid!
you are awesome ,thanks so much ,i have learned so much from your vid,very valuable info,I can't wait now to tie these three ,and I know there is a midge hatch here now,thanks so much.
Great videos Mike! Keep up the great work. You really have a knack for making all aspects of the sport look unintimidating and welcoming to newcomers. Tight lines!
Great advice and even better ties brother. I am not longing for the winter bite as it is fast and furious in the early summer, but I need to step up my midge emerger and dry game for sure. Nice reminder that I have things in the box I am neglecting. I like to throw a double dry or dry and emerger when a midge hatch happens. Gets some vicious takes
You should call this back to basics series! Cause there is a reason it is called classics! If pheasant tails, copper johns, or hears ear don't work as a dropper, I put midges running below all the time!
Mike, really have enjoyed all your videos. Your passion is infectious. Love your willingness to share your adventures and show us less travelled folk what a spectacular place we live in. I'm an old guy that just picked up fly fishing about 4 years ago and entomology is not my forte either. Curious, would you fish larger midges in stillwater situations or will your river & stream sizes work?
Thank you so much!! I’m more than happy to share what I got! It would depend on the time and place, but I never go far without a few midges in my box. Big and small!
As a bit of added info for you or whoever is in the comments, you tied the first three stages, because trout also love dead ones (not really a stage in the life cycle I guess hahaha). When midges mate they cling onto each other in the air in order to, in your words or missy Elliots "get their freak on" and this inhibits their flying ability and they fall to the surface. In this stage, they can't fly very well (on account of being tied to another fly) and they will often skitter as you described. So the third fly you showed likely looks like an adult resting on the surface after emerging but before taking it to the air and then you could tie something like a Griffiths gnat to represent the mating and then dead/spent midges. Sometimes trout will only take the clustered midges dead-drifted when they realize the midges have stopped mating. Also, compliments on an incredible video with no wasted time.
Stellar content again, Mike! Hey... do you guide clients up in the Driftless? I’d be open to a road trip.. I’ve been wanting to get up there! I’m hitting the little piney this week! I’ll say hi to the Missouri bows for you!
Hi Mike, great video ! Just found your channel and have subscribed. How do you typically set up your rig for midge pupa and emerger fishing ? Do you fish a tandem set up under an indicator and I really would like to see how you set up your dropper ? If you have already done a video on your dropper set up, I haven't found it yet. Thanks, and keep up the good work, you're a breath of fresh air !!
Another very helpful video Mike, thanks a bunch! Couple of quick questions, what sizes do you like to tie your midge patterns in? Also from one of your last videos on your mini meat whistle (great video btw), what sizes do you like tying those patterns in? I’ve got me some pine squirrel zonkers and I’m ready to get after it! Thanks again and keep up the good work👍🏼🎣👍🏼🎣👍🏼
Thank you so much! Midges area 18-22 normally! Anything bigger is too much and anything smaller is just too hard to tie! MMW I will go as big as a size 10 and as small as a 14-16!!
Hi there! I’m a beginner and now I decided to buy a saddle of cock feathers to make hackles. But except tying the 10-14 hooks, I’d prefer to tie midges in 18-22 hooks. And here’s the question. Do you use the saddle or the scalp to choose thin feathers for small hooks? Cause I’m afraid that the feathers from the saddle will be to thick for small hooks, and now I’m choosing what to buy: the saddle or the scalp. I wish my massage was understood, cause I’m not English or American at all :) Thank for videos from Belarus!
Most of the time all I fish is midge's. A trophy fish isn't a 27" brown that caught on a 8" streamer with 2 giant hooks on it It's the 19" trout I landed on size 26 barbless zebra midge.
One of my go to's for the last 50 years is the Griffith's Gnat. It just works. I caught my three biggest Rainbow Trout on the San Juan back to back. they were all from 9 to 15 lbs. It was the start of a heck of a week too.
I'm one of those old guys you mentioned! I think you are bringing more 20-somethings into the fly fishing community with these great videos....keep up the good work!
Haha then you know the deal! Thank you so much!! Tight lines!!
Lol exactly what Jack said
Photos of the pupa, emerger, and adult stages at the very end sold me on your channel. And the fast motion tying! Got it! Done! Really entertaining and practical! Thanks!
Thank you so much Mark!!
Your video's are always NOT a waste of time, great channel as usual....
Been flyfishing 62 years. Bave watched a number of your vids. This one was really good. Love your humor and excitement. Love those midges. Nothing like taking trout on the tiny stuff. Remember this. I dont remember who said it, but "There are no new flies. Just variations of old ones". 🤣
Glenn! I could not agree more! Every single fly I tie is a slight variation. Even something like the FASADD is a simple addition to proven patterns.
That is the fun of tying. I dont believe there is any fly that I have tied that hasnt caught a fish. Just some have caught more. Guess that is why the classic hares ear is still a favorite after 200 years, and the Adams is nearly 100. And both have spawned so many variations.
Love the video man, appreciate your breakdown of midges also your take on midges you seem like a cool dude sounds like you love fly fishing like I do very cool.🎉
Thank you, appreciate the kind words!
Once again great video!!! If you listen real close you can hear my envy growing. We will be up In Taos next year . And God willing we will get to fish Roscoe ny, and all these places we dream about
Nicely done. The photographs of the actually bug really sets it in my mind. You look like you're having fun so that makes your videos all the better. I look forward to watching the rest of your collection. Thanks.
Of course Mel! So glad you enjoyed it!
Preach it. These are my favorites to tie and fish.
A few years ago in spring we were fishing the Bighorn. The midge hatch was so heavy that you could not see your fly on the surface. That evening, I tied a #22 caddis bend hook with black thread and a Flash Blend sparse wing. The next day we were getting strikes on every cast. We did not hook-up every time because of the small hook, but did land a ton of browns. The best midge emerger pattern ever.
I love it, thank you for sharing! That sounds like an amazing bite! (Midges are king) When they are sipping like that those hookups can be tough!
You earned my time, I watched twice, You did such a great job to explain the midge circle. Thank you
Hell yeah! So glad you enjoyed!
Good stuff right there. Alot of folks dont know about the midge and in winter time its one of the most productive flies out there for large fatty bows and browns :)
Amen to that!! I am a midge tossin fool during these cold months!
@@FLYALLSZN peep my newest video...jus landed a super fat brown on a black midge. Tight lines braddah :)
Couldn’t agree more. Midges are the most productive flies in my collection. Midge emergers are especially effective on still water when trout are “porpoising”. I like the foam post versions in #20-24.
They can't be beat! Foam post is a really good way to go!!
This is a great video. Thank you. I'm going to tie all of these while I watch some Netflix tonight. I have a very small creek I'm going to this weekend and I'm loading up a box. Thanks again!
Hell yeah brother! Sounds like a great night!!
My home water is a still water with a low head damn that was built over a older earth and rock dam. Pond is 3-5 feet deep and bass are splashing and rolling chasing what I did not know, until I notice 1,000s of midges on the shaded walls of the spillway!! So I will be tying some of these up for bass fishing !!
These instructional and teaching videos are superb! Please keep them coming.
I am so glad you like them! I for sure will!!
Colorado tailwaters ... cannot live without midges, period! Some folks come to CO and fish midges that are way too big! Size does matter. Fantastic vid!
Got a new follower great looking flies thanks .
you are awesome ,thanks so much ,i have learned so much from your vid,very valuable info,I can't wait now to tie these three ,and I know there is a midge hatch here now,thanks so much.
You bet chuck! So glad you dig the vids! Hope they treat you as well as they’ve treated me!
Thanks for these patterns. They all work. Keep it up. You dah man
Thank you so much Donald!
Great videos Mike! Keep up the great work. You really have a knack for making all aspects of the sport look unintimidating and welcoming to newcomers. Tight lines!
I am glad I can do that! It is all about sharing that fihsy knowledge! Thank you so much as always!!
Top notch. Really enjoyed watching you tie!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for that very innovative technique!
Of course! So glad you like it!
cool just found your fly tying video, one Mike to another great video.
Thank you so much Michael!
6:38 slick technique Mike!
Never seen this before gonna have to give it a shot
Fav midge has gotta be the klinkhammer klinkhammer and the klinkhammer
Oh man those are killer! Those are about as close as close gets to my fave!
production quality is TOP notch!
Thank you so much!!
Great advice and even better ties brother. I am not longing for the winter bite as it is fast and furious in the early summer, but I need to step up my midge emerger and dry game for sure. Nice reminder that I have things in the box I am neglecting. I like to throw a double dry or dry and emerger when a midge hatch happens. Gets some vicious takes
That is awesome man! Double dries are the way to go!
New to the game. This was an awesome video! 👍🏼💯
Thank you so much!!
Wow. Great video. Tomorrow will be midge day!!
Love to hear it Steve!
Awesome video and killer ties!
Thank you so much!
Good job Mike, your tying vids are excellent! I can't wait for a break in this weather to get back out there🎣
You and me both brother! This weather has got me feeling a little cabin fever!
You should call this back to basics series! Cause there is a reason it is called classics! If pheasant tails, copper johns, or hears ear don't work as a dropper, I put midges running below all the time!
Gotta pay homage to the classics!!
Mike, really have enjoyed all your videos. Your passion is infectious. Love your willingness to share your adventures and show us less travelled folk what a spectacular place we live in. I'm an old guy that just picked up fly fishing about 4 years ago and entomology is not my forte either. Curious, would you fish larger midges in stillwater situations or will your river & stream sizes work?
Thank you so much!! I’m more than happy to share what I got! It would depend on the time and place, but I never go far without a few midges in my box. Big and small!
毛鉤の巻き方もたくさんあって、貴方の巻き方はオリジナリティーがあって、良いですね！チャンネル登録させていただきました。
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoy it!
Great video! Thank you for sharing. 👍🏻👏🏻🎣🐟😎🇺🇸
You are correct, "midges are king." They are not only for wintertime though. My experience is midges rule during any of the gin clear water times.
Couldn’t agree more!
You're the only person I've seen using the same style whip finish as me! Any tips? My thread always seems to pop off the lower hook.
I just try to keep my hand as steady as possible!
Great video! I'll try to tie and fish with them.
Great video glad you shared and I agree
Thank you so much Richard!
Never used midge patterns, but that's about to change. Great video.
Very informative! Thanks
Dude could you take a close up pic of each of your finished flys? Those are awesome patterns !
As a bit of added info for you or whoever is in the comments, you tied the first three stages, because trout also love dead ones (not really a stage in the life cycle I guess hahaha). When midges mate they cling onto each other in the air in order to, in your words or missy Elliots "get their freak on" and this inhibits their flying ability and they fall to the surface. In this stage, they can't fly very well (on account of being tied to another fly) and they will often skitter as you described. So the third fly you showed likely looks like an adult resting on the surface after emerging but before taking it to the air and then you could tie something like a Griffiths gnat to represent the mating and then dead/spent midges. Sometimes trout will only take the clustered midges dead-drifted when they realize the midges have stopped mating. Also, compliments on an incredible video with no wasted time.
Stellar content again, Mike! Hey... do you guide clients up in the Driftless? I’d be open to a road trip.. I’ve been wanting to get up there! I’m hitting the little piney this week! I’ll say hi to the Missouri bows for you!
Unfortunately I do not! I could definitely point you in the right direction however! I miss the Piney so much!! Treat them well for me haha
I love throwing midge pupae as a dropper.
They are cash money!!
Thanks for another awesome video man! Keep it up!
Could you do this for other patterns... caddis, mayfly etc!?
I plan on it!! Going to try and tackle Caddis before they start hatching!
Hi Mike, great video ! Just found your channel and have subscribed. How do you typically set up your rig for midge pupa and emerger fishing ? Do you fish a tandem set up under an indicator and I really would like to see how you set up your dropper ? If you have already done a video on your dropper set up, I haven't found it yet. Thanks, and keep up the good work, you're a breath of fresh air !!
Hell yeah! Thank you so much! It really just depends on the time and place for the setup. Tight lines!
Here in Utah the Zebra midge is king at Panguitch Lake.
What kind of hackle did you use on the emerger and the adult midge fly?
what lb test do you tie to your midge imitation?
Another very helpful video Mike, thanks a bunch! Couple of quick questions, what sizes do you like to tie your midge patterns in? Also from one of your last videos on your mini meat whistle (great video btw), what sizes do you like tying those patterns in? I’ve got me some pine squirrel zonkers and I’m ready to get after it! Thanks again and keep up the good work👍🏼🎣👍🏼🎣👍🏼
Thank you so much! Midges area 18-22 normally! Anything bigger is too much and anything smaller is just too hard to tie! MMW I will go as big as a size 10 and as small as a 14-16!!
@@FLYALLSZN I thought this was probably about the sizes your were tying. Just wanted to hear it from the expert. Thanks a lot!!!!
Giving midges the respect they deserve. Question, do you fish the emerger like a dry fly or let it sink below the surface?
Oh hell yeah! I fish em both ways! So killer!
Do you just order your hackle because I live in iowa and there aren't any fly shops
Unfortunately yes!
Hi there!
I’m a beginner and now I decided to buy a saddle of cock feathers to make hackles.
But except tying the 10-14 hooks, I’d prefer to tie midges in 18-22 hooks.
And here’s the question. Do you use the saddle or the scalp to choose thin feathers for small hooks?
Cause I’m afraid that the feathers from the saddle will be to thick for small hooks, and now I’m choosing what to buy: the saddle or the scalp.
I wish my massage was understood, cause I’m not English or American at all :)
Thank for videos from Belarus!
Belarus! That’s incredible! So glad you found the channel! I usually prefer to pick and choose feathers off the main saddle as I’m tying.
Most of the time all I fish is midge's. A trophy fish isn't a 27" brown that caught on a 8" streamer with 2 giant hooks on it It's the 19" trout I landed on size 26 barbless zebra midge.
You cannot neglect the midge,the trout don't!
EXACTLY!!
3:07 Are you using Minecraft music my man?
Helicopter that wire off instead of using your scissors, unless your using your buddies scissors. 😅
Bravo Zulu
Thank you!!
+
That’s cap. I have hundred of midges and use them in every one of my rigs these days
You are doing it right brother!! Midges are so key! Are you fishing a lot of tailwaters?
@@FLYALLSZN Firestone’s
Freestones