Black Beauty

Since it’s such a standard, fishing it any time is a good idea.  Midges are of the most importance early and late in the year and through winter if your state has open fishable water.  It’s best as a point fly where it can float freely.  I usually fish 5x or 6x for this fly not because the fish need it, but because it’s so light that 4x or more makes for a tough presentation due to the drag the tippet creates.  5x or 6x flouro cuts the water great making this fly drift a lot more naturally.

When fish are sipping midges early or late in the year and you can’t get a surface eat, then try this dropped below a dry fly without any weight.  Often fish will eat a nymph of the insect they are rising too even if they are being selective on the surface.  This is a good tip for any hatch that you fish when you find fish are selective.