How to Tie: Zebra Midge

What You’ll Need

Hook

2457 TMC, 2499spbl TMC, 2488H TMC

Thread

UTC 70 color to match body.

Body

Thread

RIB

UTC Wire (copper, silver, gold) in the brassie size

HEAD

Tungsten 3/32 for 14, 5/64 for 16

Step 1

Start the thread just behind the bead and do enough turns just to lock the thread into place. Cut your tag end off. Try to build a cone shape behind the bead with thread wraps.

Step 2

Cut a piece of wire and tie it in behind the bead. I like to push it up in the bead. Advance your thread back to the bend. Make sure your wraps are even and you have a nice smooth thread body when you wind to the bend. Once you get to the bend you are ready to advance the thread back up just behind the bead.

Step 3

Wrap the wire forward making segmentations as you wind the wire up. Try to make the spaces the same. The main key to this fly is make sure the fish can see these segmentations. Tie down the wire and move it real fast back and forth. It will break from it getting hot. If you cut it with scissors more than likely you will have a little tag showing. By doing it this way you want. And you will never mess your scissors up from cutting wire.

Step 4

Glue your thread wraps behind the bead and you got yourself a zebra midge.

Keynotes: You will see that this pattern calls for UTC 70. This is a newer thread that Wapsi came out with. This is more of a floss thread that will lay flatter on the shank. This will make a smoother base for any pattern that calls for a thread body fly. Also you can tie in dubbing or some sort of peacock herl for the collar of the fly. If you are tying this fly with black thread try using a nickel bead with silver wire. It is one of the best midges for our rivers around here.

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Finish Product!

Here’s a blend of peacock dubbing with a little “UV” flashabou dubbing mixed in with it. Good looking stuff!!

Traditional peacock herl is still the best!!

Here’s a blend of peacock dubbing with a little “UV” flashabou dubbing mixed in with it. Good looking stuff!!

Traditional peacock herl is still the best!!

This is the way you’ll see most tied commercially.