Bodkin / Patterns

Brent's Magic Midge

Midge · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook TMC 200R continuous curve, 16
  • Thread Black 8/0 waxed

Materials

  • Buzzer wrap Black ostrich herl (2 strands, body)
  • Wire Red wire (Extra small, rib)
  • Stretchy cord Clear head cement (0.5 mm, overwrap (use stretchy cord, not Stretch Magic. It yellows))
  • Antron White poly yarn (Small tuft, gills)
  • Swiss straw Golden brown swiss straw (Thin strip, wing buds)
  • Peacock herl (1 strand, thorax)
  • Head cement (thin) (Small dab)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base over the shank so nothing slides.
  2. Tie in two strands of black buzzer wrap at the front and bind them down the shank; tie in the extra-small red wire and the clear stretchy cord the same way, carrying all of it just around the corner of the bend.
  3. Wrap the buzzer wrap forward as a shiny, tight body; tie off behind the thorax area.
  4. Rib the red wire forward in nice even turns, subtle segmentation, not a prominent rib. Tie off.
  5. Overwrap with the stretchy cord: stretch it very tight for the first turns at the rear, ease to half tension mid-body, and let it go nearly slack at the front. The relaxing tension builds a natural taper and gives the glassy, gas-bubble sheen. Open turns are fine. Tie off.
  6. Gills: figure-eight a small tuft of white Antron across the top at the front so it splits to both sides; trim short.
  7. Wing buds: tie a thin strip of golden brown Swiss straw in under the front, a little long, then pull each side out and back to set the angle of the buds.
  8. Thorax: tie in one strand of peacock herl, take a couple of turns, and tie off.
  9. Whip finish and add a small dab of thin head cement, no resin coat needed; the cord is durable and holds its shine.

Tying videos

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