Mercury Midge
Description
The Mercury Midge, created by Pat Dorsey, is a highly effective imitation of a midge pupa with a trapped air bubble. The glass bead mimics emerging gas, making the fly especially deadly during winter and early spring when trout feed heavily on midges. It is best fished deep on fine tippet in tailwaters, spring creeks, and clear, slow-moving rivers.
Recommended sizes: 22
Materials
Tying Instructions
- 1.
Thread a gray glass bead with a silver core onto the hook and slide it up to the eye.
- 2.
Start the cream 70-denier thread just behind the bead. Trim the tag end close.
- 3.
Tie in a 4-inch piece of extra-small copper wire behind the bead. Secure it along the top of the hook shank all the way into the bend.
- 4.
Return the thread to behind the bead. Create a taper by: Wrapping 1/4 down the shank and back up Then slightly farther and back up Repeat until you have a smooth, tapered body.
- 5.
Flatten the thread by spinning the bobbin counterclockwise. Make 4–5 wraps down the shank, flatten again, and apply a final smooth top coat.
- 6.
Leave the thread at the bend. Wrap the copper wire forward in open spiral turns to segment the body. Secure the wire behind the bead and break it off cleanly.
- 7.
Wrap the thread forward between the wire wraps and cover the wire behind the bead. Whip finish 4–5 turns, then repeat another short whip finish to slightly build the thorax.