Paul's January 2026 Bonus Fly of the Month

 Jake's Improved Zebra Midge

Hook:  The Fly Shop TFS 2500 Size #14 or Fulling Mills Grab Gape Size #16 (or wide gap hook of choice.

Thread:  Thread Black 6/0.

Bead:   Silver Tungsten 2 mm.

Tail/Shuck:  Midge Mirage Pearl/Opal.

Ribbing:  Fine Copper Wire.

Coating:  Solarez Bone Dry or UV of choice or Hard as Nails.

What makes this Zebra Midge Improved?  Well, there are two modifications that can make this pattern more productive.  First, there are  ‘Wide Gap’ hooks on the market today that will increase your hooking productivity.   Use them!  Second, the ‘Mirage Pearl Shuck’ acts as a beacon for hungry trout.  I also tie this fly in Olive.  That color is a ‘go to’ fly before and during olive hatches.   Drift it with an indicator or trail it under a dry fly.  It’s a great fly that’s super easy to tie.

To tie this fly, begin by placing your bead on the hook.  Place it in the vice.  Start your thread behind the bead and take securing wraps to lock it in place.  Cover the hook shank with a layer of thread.  Next, tie in your Pearl/Opal Merage Tail at the rear of the hook shank.  Trim your Mirage Tail so that it is approximately a hook gap in length behind the fly.  Bring your thread back up behind the bead and tie in your Copper Wire Rib.  Do this with secure wraps back down the body.  Then, use your thread to create a slightly tapered body.  Leave your thread behind the bead. 

Next, take spiral wraps up the body with your Copper Wire.  Tie it off behind the bead and ‘helicopter’ off the excess wire.  Whip finish your fly.  If you so desire you can coat the fly body with UV resin, or what I prefer to do, a coat of ‘Hard as Nails’.

Tim Camissa has a great video on how to tie this fly below:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at pdinice@frontier.com .