Chironomid Midge Larva

Most trout probably haven’t seen this fly, so when you make your substitutions, you may want to think more about the floatability of the fly rather than differentiating your fly from the ones other anglers use. Typically chironomids will have a white bead, feather or thread body and some ribbing. The d-rib in this fly really sets things apart

• Tail and Gills: White CDC, white calf hair, white floss and even white hair off of your dog can be spectacular substitutions here that give the fly different buoyancy properties in the water column.
• Body and Case: Using various colors of d-rib, stretch tubing, vinyl ribbing and even scud back can give this fly a different feel that fish will love.
• Thorax: Using dyed peacock herl is a great way to vary this fly. Consider using a yellow or lighter dyed color of thorax in stillwaters when fishing during ice-off. Red-dyed peacock herl can also compliment the d-rib very well