I have always loved fishing buzzers for many years for trout, its just my favorite way of fly fishing except perhaps daddylonglegs. Ask just about any experienced angler what their favorite midge patterns are, and the Smokejumper will probably be in their top 10including me. For the San Juan River, I generally fish a size 22-26 size midge pattern, but other rivers might allow for larger midges and therefor easier to tie and fish. Bead Head Silver . If you are fortunate to be on the river during the "ant hatch", you could experience phenomenal dry fly fishing for large trout using ant patterns. 4. You don't need a lot of slack in the line because your drift will be short. Ill never forget it. Just be ready for a show of flying trout. Trust that the weather isnt going to kill a trip because of flow conditions. This pattern is an amalgam of the best aspects of many midge patterns on this list. 9. The best midge fishermen have great powers of observation and a meticulous, predatory approach to their angling. Tied on a stout jig hook and using black bead chain eyes for weight instead of the usual slotted bead, the pattern rides hook point up on the bottom without fear of snagging and those big eyes square off the head shape nicely, furthering the accurate silhouette. When trout are taking these clumps, the Griffith's Gnat is the perfect imitation. If needed contact info -, Google Map for Fly Fishing the San Juan River, https://nmdgf.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4af365eb03524e229de3eaf815fd56ca, Where to Fly Fish on the San Juan River, New Mexico (Maps, Flies and Technique), Fly Fishing on the Cimarron River New Mexico (How and Where), How Much Is a Fishing License in New Mexico? Before I go, a few words about Juan. You need to make sure the pattern is actually a Root Beer Midge. Just to help, I am an Orvis fun. We are constantly adding patterns, so please check back from time to time and see what's new. .004 lbs. Get fly recipe and. These guys have 200 plus days a year on the San Juan and guess where youll find them on many of their days off? Weight.004 lbs: Dimensions.2 .08 .01 in: Reviews . Fisheads of the San Juan's Tip of the Week. . Simply add a tungsten bead, and they can be an effective dry-dropper pattern. This has become a reliable pattern for many tailwater guides because it is not only effective, but its easy to see, as well. Further details will follow as the forecast evolves. Some picks of a midge pattern. In the upper stretches of the river, standard San Juan midge patterns like mono-midges, blings, zebras, and crystal flash in sizes 24 to 26 have been the most productive. . Thanks for the recipe! I hope you guys realize that many if not most of the pattern links in this article have expired! There are stronger knots, but you usually have to pass the tippet through the eye of the hook twice, and that's not practical on a #24 midge pupa. The Renegade(sizes 18 & 20) In the below article, we will run through how to fish and tie the pattern. I recommend a moveable yarn indicator or a small cork or foam indicator held in place with a toothpick. Here is a list of materials I used on this fly, and links to where you can purchase them. Hi David Humphries Owner of Guide Recommended. Required fields are marked *. . The Editor.] Keep up the good work you guys. The zebra midge rules the kingdom when it comes to midge patterns. Simple but yet effective, the Zebra Midge is the one larva pattern an angler should never be without. Even the best anglers sometimes overlook the importance of midge larvae. Email: Mark@blueskyflyfishing.com Rim Chung's RS2 pattern was developed for finicky South Platte trout and has been widely adapted on the San Juan and elsewhere. Learn to tie Harrop's Hairwing Dun with master tier Charlie Craven. You can tie them with various beads on the front to add appeal and/or weight. HOOK: #18-24 Tiemco 2457.BEAD: Black size 15 Japanese seed bead.THREAD: White 8/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Latex colored with olive Chartpak marker.WING PADS: Rust goose biot.COLLAR: Peacock Ice Dub. This is one of our favorite midge-larva patterns on sunny days. Fall fishing continues the regular fishing patterns of summer with fish feeding aggressively on midges, annelids, scuds, terrestrials and mayflies. Some streams and stillwaters contain huge midge numbers, and trout in these environments feed on them almost exclusively. Situated near the eastern edge of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this prime destination for dry fly, You havent fished in the Southwest until you cast your like in New Mexicos waters. Fishing can still be very good during discolored water conditions, you need to adapt your techniques to the conditions. Texas Midge - Top Annelid Pattern for the San Juan River! Single adult. Youve got to think about your nymph getting down to the trout and if possible tapping them on the nose. We typically fish this pattern in combination with a crustacean pattern, such as a sowbug or scud. They'll move side to side more frequently, gulping pupae bound for the surface, and they'll often move into different water types to take advantage of the hatch. So, a few years ago we decided to write a book and we began contacting our like-minded friends, as well as fly tiers we met online, or have read or heard about. Small streamers size 10 or 12 in olive, black or brown.They are best fished first thing in the morning or late in the day and at night! Public High Schools. This section is tough to get to if your hiking in. Nemo, But in most of these fertile, dam-released rivers, the vast majority of the aquatic insect population is made up of "midges" - tiny two-winged flies of the order Diptera, of which there are more than 100 species in North America. I fish the "invisible dry-fly method" I discussed above and concentrate on where the fly ought to be. The Parachute Adams is the perfect dry fly for the South Platte River. There is very little wasted effort or fruitless casting involved in his technique. A blend of feathers and dubbing, it's very streamlined. You will notice as you browse our selection that the majority of our inventory consists of midges and nymphs. Trout are always on the lookout for this food source, especially in seasons when other insect hatches are not occurring. That's all I can tie in a #24 or smaller. Most orders are tied up a within a day or two. With a weight forward floating fly line, I tied on a 6X, 9-foot nylon tapered leader. Guide Recommendation: James Garrett and the guys at About Trout ( link) THE GUIDES if you cant get in James boat ask for Kyle. Early in the day, you are likely to see more midge larvae than anything else. Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, How to Mend, Set the Hook, and Strip Line, 2021 Fly Fisherman Father's Day Gift Guide, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, midges have several life stages that both fly fishers and trout recognize, Costa Films Presents Hooked On: Bonefish, Pharmaceutical Pollution Threatens Florida's Shallow-Water Fish. The segmented body is similar to that of a natural, and the white Antron wing looks as close to the pupal wing buds as you can get. If you plan on fishing the Taylor River or Gunnison any time soon, then you should stock your fly box with a few D-Midges in grey and red. It took a few tries to figure out how to tie this fly, but after I figured it out, it really isn't all that difficult. I will say, the original that we have at our work doest have the black tag at the end, but seems to get the black ribs another way. Bead Head "Serendipity Style" WD40 - Olive. Must-have fly patterns for the San Juan River in descending order of importance: Fly fishing hatches in order of importance: Midges are hatching all day long. Indicators with long leaders, heavy point flies like a tungsten beadhead mop fly and a trailing size 22 beadhead zebra midge. Hey Phil sorry for the delayed response I didnt get the notification. The nymph fishing has been best. Simple and scruffy in fact. Many of the best tailwater anglers use fluorocarbon tippet almost exclusively for their subsurface fishing, and swear they catch more fish with it than with monofilament. 1 Step 1 Killer Caddis Beads This means weighted flies or split shot and long leaders. These gorilla midges come off in droves and are often represented on hook sizes 18-22, forsaking the typically tiny San Juan fare of 26-30s. Make sure that you take the necessary precautions when lightning is in the area. If your cast turned over correctly, your fly should be about 12 inches beyond the visible portion of your tippet. A note about ants, after a rain the hatch starts. Imitating a midge, a CDC Midge Pupa emerger is one of the most popular types available. This river is a unique blend of, The Cimarron River originates from Eagle Nest Lake and Dam in northeastern New Mexico. Id be happy to tie up each of the patterns, provide high quality macro pictures and list the ingredients if yall would give photo credit? But I would be happy to send each and every one of you pictures of each pattern if you would like. Felt boots and a wading staff are a must. and Bear Goode's Sparkle Larva are the best examples of these types of patterns. The Manhattan Midge has the flash and pizazz to make it on Broadway, with the tenacity to hold its own on Wall Street. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. These emerging pupae get stuck in or just below the surface film and are highly vulnerable to trout. The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust's Dr. Ross Boucek explains what pharmaceutical and chemical runoff and pollution could mean for Florida's shallow-saltwater gamefish. The San Juan River is a true gem for fly fishing enthusiasts, offering a variety of environments and species to catch. The distance isnt so far as to make the trip uncomfortable. There are snow storms, usually of short duration during the winter months as the sun generally comes out soon after a snow storm helping clear the roads. Most of my fishing is on reservoirs sometimes desolate windy rough places, where buzzers come into their own. The best presentation is usually a down-and-across cast where you deliver the fly 6 inches directly upstream of the trout. Junior: Choices Charter school is an excellent school because it allows students to focus on education instead of being distracted. I'm not saying anything more - except hang on. Sometimes you'll tear up the river on a #20 red larva imitation, and then suddenly the fish switch to dark brown #24 pupa. The Tungteaserworks particularlywell for sight-nymphing, as the tungsten allows the fly to enter the strike zone faster. Many locals prefer the winter season as there are fewer fishermen. A greased leader points in the direction of the fly, and after a while you'll find yourself becoming proficient at estimating the distance, and therefore the location, of your fly. Fish are active feeding on midge and other insects including mayflies, caddis, scuds, annelids and terrestrials depending on what part of the river you are in. Barr Emerger . But where I fish nowon tough, technical tailwater trout fisheries like the San Juan, Green, and Frying Pan Rivers - big flies catch mostly stupid little trout. With their olive body and dark wings, the Morgans Midge can produce great results in a BWO hatch. And learn why it's called Burning Man. Oh, and while were on the subject, when a man with over 50 years of fly fishing experience tells you to try a certain pattern, dont question it. .2 .08 . Heavy weight gets your flies down to fish in fast water but can also act like an anchor, creating undetectable subsurface drag. How to Tie a Black Midge Pupa Fly Pattern. This fly, as funny as it looks, makes fish go crazy. When he isn't casting his fly rod, you can find him writing, tying flies, and dreaming about fly fishing. Tungteaser(sizes 18 & 20) Here are my ten favorites: [Click the name of each fly to be taken to a photo, recipe, or video.]. Heres a Suggestion. Charlie Craven is giving step by step instructions for tying the Perdigon Fly. Fisheads also can sell NM State Fishing Licenses. Parrotts Chironoflash Pupa(sizes 18 & 20) Your email address will not be published. Location. Simple and easy, save it on your phone and start catching fish! If you can master the tiny midge game in these waters youre going to be rewarded. Learn to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph with master tier Charlie Craven. We wont send you spam. Subscriber Services. Take A Break From Those Boring Work Emails, Its our firm belief that life is better when youre casting a fly rod. This is one of the most widely used patterns on tailwaters, considering that midges are present 12 months out of the year. The hatch is strongest from 10:30 to 2:00, then again in the last hour of the day. Phone Number: 505-634-0582. Luckily this is right in the range that the flow is managed to. Learn to tie the versatile Hare's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven. Subscriber Services. In the span of an hour, I saw over 40 boats dropped in.. They still set up a 9-foot leader in the morning and fish with it all day just because it's convenient. It fishes well when tied in both olive and black. For those of us who can't deliver the fly with that degree of accuracy every cast, it's also effective to overcast just a little, pull the fly into the trout's feeding lane, and then drop the rod tip for a short but deadly drift. What follows are 10 of the absolute best midge patterns for trout. They arent the best, or even our favorites (its so hard to pick! Learn to tie the Sparkle Caddis Pupa with master tier Charlie Craven. Emerging pupae. You simply can't cast 10 feet upstream of a trout and hope the fly drifts directly to him. As Noel Gollehan discussed at our recent PVFF club meeting, midges hatching on the San Juan River in New Mexico range in size from 20-24. When will applications for continuing and priority enrollment be accepted? Anything with a bead or with a pronounced thorax has the wrong profile. Also mimicking a midge, a Barr Emerger is simple in design but very effective. Johnny Gomez's Johnny Flash has the profile of the WD-40 and the emerging wing of the RS2. To be a proficient midge fisherman, you need a range of fly patterns that imitate every stage trout prey upon. It may be small and green, but it has magic powers that could change your life. 5. HOOK: #18-22 Daiichi 1273.THREAD: Red 70-denier Ultra Thread.BODY: Tying thread.RIB: Black small Ultra Wire.COLLAR: Peacock herl. Getting the fly far enough out in front of the boat to drift through the best runs for the LONGEST drift is the most effective method on this river. 4 Neutral Colors - creams or grays or mix and match a combination of each. ThanksI concur bout the picturesplease provide a collection so we can purchase some. If you are sight-fishing, you'll notice the fish are more active. He looked at me and said, Here, try this. It was a beautiful moment. HOOK: #18-24 Tiemco 2487.THREAD: Red 6/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Tying thread.RIB: Silver Lagartun wire (fine).WING: Mylar tinsel.POST: White poly yarn.HACKLE: Black ostrich.THORAX: Black dubbing. Learn to tie Harrop's Hairwing Dun with master tier Charlie Craven. The entire area is BLM land and is open for public use. Each midge life stage is important to trout, and fly fishers need patterns to imitate all stages and every color phase found in nature. Ah the wonder of Krystal Flash, how did we get by without it? This is a great pattern fished in tandem with another nymph, but it also works well when trailed behind a dry. Its pretty easy to identify a true Root Beer Midge by the segmented rubber body, and the WD-40-like thorax (if that makes any sense). You have to spoon-feed these trout so all they have to do is open their mouths. All I can tell you is that you should buy about 50 of these things. The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust's Dr. Ross Boucek explains what pharmaceutical and chemical runoff and pollution could mean for Florida's shallow-saltwater gamefish. This killer imitation is particularly great when youre casting in off-colored water, or to finicky fish. Fish an emerging midge pupa like an invisible dry fly. Most midge pupae ride the currents in a horizontal position, so your top hook should stick out at a 90-degree angle when the leader is pulled taut. You may put on a dry fly and catch a trout or two, or you can fish a midge pupa just under the surface and catch a dozen - it's up to you. 2021 . 923 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 970-385-4081 [email protected] 970-385-4081. . I start adding 6X or 7X tippet after changing out 3 or 4 flies. However, when I put fluorocarbon in water, I can still see it, and since it's stiffer than mono, I'm convinced it's more likely to impede the natural action of my fly. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. And Get Our FREE Beginners Zebra Midge. When we started fishing together on the South Platte River near Deckers, Colorado, we never thought that the tiny but abundant midge was going to become such an important part of our fly-fishing lives. I attempted to click on the names and see the midges but they would not come up due to unsafe network connections. The "ant hatch" isn't a hatch, but is caused by runoff from a large rain which brings ants into the river. Check out the full of story of Sage Indendi Johnson's journey from a path towards professional basketball to guiding in Alaska. Awesome timing! Sorry about that. Our San Juan River Flies are hand tied with pride here in the U.S.A. with top of the line Daiichi, Gamakatsu and Maruto hooks. Skip to content. And while this midge might not be a 24/7 slayer, it is one that you need to keep in your fly box. Guide To Fly Tying. When fish begin to key on pupae, they start taking the top fly more than the bottom fly, but there are other signs. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. 2. Spring Fishing(March, April, May) The Renegade is a timeless pattern that still works incredibly well on many tailwater rivers during the midge hatch. Fish are active feeding on midge and other insects including mayflies, caddis, scuds, annelids and terrestrials depending on what part of the river you are in. Use big heavy nymphs as a point fly to get the offering down into the strike zone. Made famous on the San Juan River, Juan Ramirez shows us how to tie the KF Midge Emerger which works just about anywhere you find midges, which is just about everywhere. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Fishheads of the San Juan another guide service thats been guiding on the San Juan for many years. My first experience with a D-Midge was about 5 years ago, and while I havent had the chance to try this in as many places as the other flies on this list, from what I can see, fish will hit this thing just about anywhere you go. My friend Rick Takahashi ties a fly biot midge that is simply sinister to trout, and I swipe as many as I can out of his fly box when he is not looking. It's important to pay attention to where the fish are feeding, and if the fish are "up" on midges, you'll have to drastically reduce your leader length. Winter fishing on the San Juan can be very successful. A perfect imitation of the ubiquitous dragonfly built with a compelling yet simple approach. The river is managed as a brown trout and rainbow trout fishery. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. First of all, why do people always ask me that? Ive seen a couple different variations of this pattern over time, but the one you want to look for has a striking resemblance to a Zebra Midge. Throw in a few RS2s or foam wings and rootbeers if you're fishing the lower river. We do this when fish are feeding just under the surface film on emerging midge pupae. The best imitations are nothing more than thread - twisted to create a segmented look - wrapped on a curved hook. It is best to carry these in a wide variety of colors including red, black, olive, and cream. 3. I fish two flies and always position the top fly above the weight so I have direct contact with at least one fly. Copyright 2023 Abe's Motel & Fly Shop, Inc. Spring is a great time to fish the San Juan. Fall is a favorite fishing time for many fishermen and fisherwomen. He believes far too many fishermen string their rods at the parking lot and cast the same nymph rigs all day long. Yes, you got it a shiny, iridescent gas bubble! Give a Gift Another new pattern from Jan Grandal-Johansen, this time a buzzer emerger that fishes well on the reservoirs in the UK. Of all the patterns on this list, this is the most unique. But youll avoid the crowds and some true trophies haunt these waters. Watch and wade with us as we chase bonefish on the sand flats of the Bahamas and tag them on the grass flats of the Keys. Going to the San Juan come June. When fish get picky and refuse to take anything else you throw at them, the Transitional Midge can be a game changer. A #22-#28 dry fly is impossible for me to see on the water, so I rarely even look for it. At the moment they are small, midge pupa and larvae, size 22 to 24, olive,gray, black, chocolate, cream and of course red have been my best. 10. Can anyone guess what the Krystal Flash on this midge emerger represents (I know a lot of questions tonight)? Just email us at info@bighornangler.com. The hatch chart is a general guideline and can vary based on water flow, temperature, and other factors. the article would have been much better See more details about what you can do to help in this blog post. Keep the hook gape clear and use those heavier hooks for the bigger eats. Your rod choice will vary with the river you are fishing, the wind conditions, and water levels. Learn how to find and fish for these beauties , The perfect evening for me is floating in a canoe on a tiny lake at that Magic Hour around sunset and casting to Bluegills. When midges begin to emerge, their budding wings become prominent, and they sometimes carry gas bubbles that trigger trout to feed. Sometimes simple is best. There are thunderstorms during the summer which bring lightning. This is especially noticeable when using small size 20 to 24 nymphs and midge patterns. Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." It would be great if you could fix that. - McFly Angler Fly Tying Tutorial McFly Angler 54.5K subscribers Subscribe 9.8K views 5 years ago Nymphs and Midges - fly tying. Just be sure to pay cash, and avoid talking about it over the phone; unless of course you are on a secure line. This pattern is often fished tandem with either a scud or sowbug, and with enough weight to keep it in the proper strike zone. I purchased a fly rod kit from Epic Fly Rods and built mine. Great photo, Trey! Learn to tie the RS2 with master tier Charlie Craven. You become an understanding participant in a complex ecosystem, and I guarantee you'll have more fun. Things can change suddenly during a midge hatch, or combined midge hatches, especially on productive water where large trout have the luxury of targeting specific stages of specific insects. . Think long and slender for midge larvae, short and squat for midge pupae. You can tie them with various beads on the front to add appeal and/or weight. Then something amazing happened Flying Ants! Read , Im not sure if any fish is more beautiful than a brook trout. We have rooms available and some of the best guides on the river. If he doesnt get you in his boat, hes got a long list of excellent guides to set you up. Oh, and if you ever see some Blue-winged Olives coming off the water, dont be afraid to throw one of these bad boys on. The Red Hot pattern is a simple but highly productive pattern on the San Juan River. The river is braided in this area and finding a good place to stand while still being able to reach the best water with a cast is difficult. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The latest Costa Film "Hooked On: Bonefish" explores the pursuit of this prized gamefish, which requires expert marksmanship and delicate execution to be successful. During high flows it is best to fish only safely wade able areas or fish from a drift boat. This pattern is often fished alone, but can be used trailing behind a point fly. Frank Smethurst Fly Tying Video | San Juan Midge Pattern - YouTube Frank smethurst tying one of his go-to midge patterns from his day's on the San Juan. Rim Chung's RS2 pattern was developed for finicky South Platte trout and has been widely adapted on the San Juan and elsewhere. A good reel with a smooth, dependable drag is an asset. With its clear water, diverse environments, and abundant fish populations, the San Juan River is a must-visit destination for the passionate fly fisherman. And if youve never seen one before, dont be afraid to grab it and take a closer look. Yes, this is a trick question and easy to answer - it's g! Ive never seen so many drift boats launched as quickly as on the San Juan. Fall Fishing(September, October, November). Just like the Griffiths Gnat, the key to its effectiveness seems to be in the iridescence of the peacock body. Read my review Here and watch my on-water review of the Foundation HERE ON YOUTUBE. The San Juan is on the report most weeks. We soon amassed more than 1,000 fly patterns, along with detailed information on how to tie them, from some of the worlds best tiers in Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovakia, England, the U.S., and elsewhere. If you have a 7-weight, thats going to be fine. Just tie one to the end of your line and buckle up. You can browse through our store and shop with confidence knowing that every fly is tied like we are going to use it ourselves! Sometimes when midges hatch, they ball up in a clump on the surface of the water. Morgans Midge is one of the simpler flies on this list, and similar to the Trailing Shuck Midge, it features, well, a trailing shuck. In the Lower Flats the river slows and widens out. Learn to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph with master tier Charlie Craven. Youll have to ask him. My dad used to say this statement every time we were in the Southwest. If the Zebra Midge isnt quite flashy enough for your liking, then you should consider buying a few Crystal Midges. Nick Thomas shows you how to tie a both simple and scruffy fly. Our Orvis endorsed Fly Shop is well stocked to get you on the river and catching some San Juan River trout. HOOK: #10-16 Tiemco 2302.THREAD: White 17/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Latex strip.RIB: Extra fine gold Lagartun wire.THORAX: Tying thread colored with marker.WING BUDS: Black Microfibetts, melted.GILLS: White CDC.Note: Coat the entire body with UV Knot Sense. Hook: TMC 101 size 22 Thread: Veevus 16/0 in Black The WD-40 is an emerging-midge pattern developed by John Engler on the Frying Pan, but it works almost anywhere there are midges. Learn to tie Barr's Damsel with master tier Charlie Craven. An effective springtime pattern here on the Bighorn, the Root Beer Midge is a go-to pattern when midge pupae are ascending to the surface. If a size 20 is the smallest nymph in your fly box, dont even go here. All worm or midge patterns are super simple to tie, and if you do tie your own flies, they should be a breeze for you.