Copper Zebra Midge

The Zebra Midge is a widely varied, tried and true, pattern that you should never hit the river without. This Copper Zebra Midge itself is a variation of the traditional Zebra Midge and lends itself to awesome opportunities to add your own flare. Check out some of these options:

• Tail: Variations in the tail can really allow this insect to impersonate more insect species. Using pheasant fibers as a tail or double over your krystal flash to stand out. Goose biots can also be a way to imitate smaller mayflies and winter stoneflies depending on the size. Microfibbets can be a great way to imitate the tricos or other mayflies.
• Rib: Try spacing out the ribbing or spreading it out to add or remove insect segments. Different color ribbing can be a way to cater to the different seasons you may be fishing this fly.
• Wing: Use monofilament to add a small, clear tyer bead in instead of a wing to imitate the bubble insects ride to the surface. Or try red colored wings to invoke predatory reactions from ambush brown trout.
• Thorax: Add a wing case to add structure to your bug
• Bug it up: Adding small rubber legs can be a great way to search for the more aggressive fish in a run. Use sharpie to vary the colors or even make barred rubber legs.
• Suit and tie: Utilizing a hot head, or even better, hot collar can be a great way to tie this fly up for any “formal” fishing occasion.