CDC Emerger Midge

Created by Shane Stalcup

HOOK: TMC 101, sizes 16-22 THREAD: Black BODY: Goose biot HACKLE: Gray CDC with white poly yarn post

Uses

The fly imitates a midge that is just beginning to emerge on the surface of the water. Use it anytime you suspect trout are feeding on emerging midges or midge pupae.

Variations

For midge hatches, vary the pattern and size to match the prevailing insects. Common body colors are black, gray, brown-olive, tan, and red.

 
The pattern also works well for hatches of small mayflies. With a brown or olive body and in sizes 18-20 it makes a dandy emerging blue-winged olive. With a pale yellow body in size 18, it will do well in a pale morning dun hatch.

How to Fish

Do NOT dress the fly with floatant! CDC flies should be fished au natural. When a fly no longer floats well, put it in a small container of powdered descicant, such as Dry Shake, and shake it up. This removes the moisture, and you're ready to cast again.

 
Use the shallow nymph presentation when midges are hatching. In any midge hatch, it is crucial to know the size and color of the midges. To do this, you need to capture a drifting pupa, or watch one very carefully as it emerges. You can also collect some drifting shucks and match the size and color of the shuck.