Midges

Written By: Dick Babine

Jason Neuswanger of troutnut.com and Richard J. Babine of richard@thebabines.com have generously authorized the use of all macro photographs used in this chapter.

Kingdom:		Animalia	(Animals)
Phylum:		Arthropoda	(Arthropods)
Class:		Insecta	(Insects)
Order:		Dipoptera	(True Fly)
Family:	160	Chironomidae	(Midges)
	99	Cyclorrhapha	(Fruitflies)
	35	Nematocera	(Craneflies)
	27	Orthorrhapha	(Horseflies)
Genus:	139
		Athericidae	(Watersnipe Flies)
		Blephariceridae	(Net-Veined Midges)
		Chironomus	(Red Midge)
		Limoniidae	(Craneflies)
		Ptychopteridae	(Phantom Craneflies)
		Simuliidae	(Blackflies)
		Stenochoronomus	(Green Midge)

Species:	16,000	North American species

Larval Habitat:	Generally Chironomids will be found attached to various objects located along the bottom substrate, such as rocks, boulders, aquatic vegetation, aquatic roots, submerged wood, or burrowed into the soft mud, clay, silt, and very fine sand, and decayed organic debris (detritus).
Imitations: Pupal:	Serendipity, Red + Olive, Crystal Chironomid, Copper Buzzer or John, Orange Suspended Midge, Zebra Midge and Common Brassie, Foam Midge Emerger
Adults:	Foam Winged, Desert Storm, WD-40, RS-2, Palomino Midge, Griffith’s Gnat
Common Names:	Midge, Chironomids, Gnat, Cranefly, Snow fly, Blood Worms, Deer Fly, Black Fly, Green Midge, Meniscus Midge, Glassworms, & Mosquito.

If there is one aquatic insect that most Maine Anglers don’t appreciate, use, or understand, it’s the Midge.

Definitions

Chironomidae (informally known as chironomids or non-biting midges) are a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae. ...

Midges are small robust insects with piercing (Biting) and sucking mouthparts that belong to the family of flies Ceratopogonidae. Only a few groups within this family are known to suck blood and their distribution is almost world wide. These small flies are renowned for their nuisance biting associated with habitats such as coastal lagoons, estuaries, mangrove swamps and tidal flats.

The biting activity of adult biting midges is mainly limited to the periods of dawn and dusk; they will remain inactive through very windy weather, finding shelter amongst vegetation. Biting midges will usually disperse only short distances from their breeding sites. Only female midges feed on blood, but both the females and males will feed on vegetable fluids and nectar.

The way you tell a male (non-biting) from a female (biting) is to look at the antennae. The male has very bushy, plumose antennae, and the female has simple undressed antennae. The antenna of the male is precisely tuned to pick up the exact frequency of the female's whining flight. This enables him to locate a suitable mate.

These small insects make up a huge portion of the trout’s diet in our cooler Maine waters. Bigger morsels exist because of both size and at times availability to the fish. But these large mouthfuls such as the Mayfly,

Caddisfly, Stonefly, Dragon and Damselfly activities come and go. However the lowly midge is around in large numbers year round and fish will always from time to time return to their ever present offerings.

Even though trout feed on larvae and adults when they are available, it’s the pupae that are taken on their rise to the surface, that trout tend to key on during an emergence. This makes the pupa the most important stage of the midge life-cycle for anglers to imitate.

Some midges are large, up to hook size 14, but the majorities are size 20 or smaller. The number of genera and species is hopelessly huge for angler entomologists to ever learn, and the identifying characteristics often require slide-mounting tiny parts under high-powered microscopes. Even the most Latin-minded fisherman must slip back to the basics--size and color--to describe his local midge hatches.

Midges belong to the order Diptera: di meaning “two” and ptera meaning “wings.” These are also referred to as real flies. More precisely they belong to the midge family, Chironomidae. These mosquito-like insects range in size from about one-half inch (12mm) down to the famous no-see-um size of less than one-eight inch (3mm). The most common body colors are black, dark charcoal, grey and various shades of reddish brown to greenish brown.

These species represent such an enormous diversity of color, size, behavior and locale that fly fishers, as a rule, have not attempted to deal with this genera, much less the species.

For most of its life, it spends as larvae; these larvae can be found attached to submerged rocks, boulders, burrowed into or on the substrate of all types of water.

The midge Midges undergo a complete metamorphosis, the first being the larvae which emerge from the deposited eggs. When the larvae mature, it builds a cacoon and then pupates, often within a week.

After the larval stage is complete, midges then enter the pupal stage, where tiny air bubbles are created within the body of the insect and this process helps the insect to slowly rise to the surface. When these pupas leave their shelters or become dislodged, they will wiggle frantically in the current, making themselves an easy meal for feeding fish. This attempted emergence will take several tries to reach the surface, as the pupa can bob in the current trying to rid itself of its nymphal shuck just underneath the waters surface where the insect waits to emerge as an adult. The final stage of the midge life cycle is the adult stage, where six legs will develop along with two wings.

Once the insect has left the water, its main goal is to mate and return to the water where the female will deposit her eggs. Adults swarm and mate in flight. Most lay eggs singularly or in strings while skimming over the water surface. Some species lay eggs directly on vegetation or bottom substrates. The eggs hatch into Larva and form mud tubes from the bottom material and mucous. A few species have free-swimming larva such as the Bloodworm and Glassworm. The Larva then grows and develops into the Pupa stage. When fully grown, the Pupae wiggle their way to the water's surface. It often will take several minutes for the Pupa to get through the "surface tension" of the water before it can hatch.

The process of breaking open the Pupal Shuck, the adult crawling out, drying its wings, and flying away is usually accomplished in less than a minute.

Once hatched these adults may live for only a few hours or up to a few months depending on the insect's species. Some species prefer the bottoms of lakes and ponds, while others inhabit the riffled areas of rivers and streams.

Some will crawl among the aquatic vegetation; others swim freely in the open water. Some have gills and others have breathing tubes. Some are almost microscopic in size, while others will be some ¾ of an inch in size.

The various larvae of Diptera are mostly legless, slender, and wormlike. They are very often brightly colored red, light green, purple, cream, tan or black.

The real importance of these aquatic creatures is that they emerge throughout the entire fishing season. Even in the dead of winter, as long as the water is ice free, these insects will emerge. During our long winter months, theses midges represent a major food source for fish.

Now, after reading about all the different species, sizes, shapes and colors, the next question concerning anyone not familiar with midging is what the heck do I use for a fly? Fear not, with over 175 genera and over 1000 species this chironomidae family is large but not difficult to imitate. All these various differences aside, hatching midges, suspended at or in the surface film, do not present a great challenge to the fly angler.

The best way to choose a fly pattern is to use a small seine held in the drift to capture a pupa, and then match a fly to the pupa's size and color. If you don't get any pupas but you end up with several adults; the adult's body size and color will be very close to that of the pupa. Midge bodies do vary, but black, brown, olive, tan, and red are common.

Most midge pupae and the adults are very similar in shape, so now the need is to match the size and color. Your still water midges tend to be much larger (#10 to #16) while their flowing water cousins are much smaller in size (#18 to #26).

Appearance

The Larva has segmented bodies, is worm-like and looks much like a long skinny grub or maggot. This appearance gradually changes as they develop into Pupa. The Pupa develops an eye-spot and wing casing and most notably have feathery white gills near the head. The head and wing casing are usually one quarter to one third of the body length and the abdomen has 7 or 8 segments. The adult insect looks much like a Mosquito with feathery antenna. The good news for as anglers, is that it is not very difficult to imitate the size, shape, texture and overall appearance.

A typical submerged rock covered with four aquatic insects attached to it.

*Note* The long white tubes are Chironomid (Midge) larval cases, the small Dome-Like pebbled Saddle Case is the Glossosoma (Little Short-Horned Sedge), the small white silk blotches are the Purse Cased (Ring-Horned Micro Caddis), there is also a small juvenile mayfly nymph hiding in this picture.

Size

Pupa, are up to 20mm long (3/4") but average 8 to 15mm (1/4" to 1/2").
The still water species (lakes and ponds) are hook sizes #10 to #18 and the flowing species (rivers, brooks & streams) are sized #18 to #26.

Color

The Pupa tends to be black, brown, reddish-brown, olive, tan or green but can come in a variety of other colors. There is a type of free-swimming Chironomid Larva that stores oxygen in its blood and therefore red in color (Bloodworm). There is also a free-swimming Larva of the Chaoborus family that is virtually transparent and thus called a Glassworm.

Movement

Free-swimming larva like the Bloodworm and the Glassworm, do just that. They crawl, float or swim around the water column but generally tend to hide under rocks or decaying debris and remain fairly immobile. Most Larva build and stay inside a mud tube on the bottom and don't move around. When the Larva develop into the Pupal stage, they leave their mud tubes or other hiding places, fill air sacks within their skin for buoyancy, and slowly wiggle their way to the surface to hatch.

Importance to Fly Fishing

After freshwater shrimp, Chironomids are the next most important food source for trout. Throughout the fly fishing season, daytime feeding samples show that 27% of the trout's daytime feeding consists of these insects. This percentage drops to about 14% for those fish feeding during the low-light conditions of evening. Also, during the winter months, when almost all other insect species hatching activities are closed for the season, the Midges continue to hatch, even when large areas of water are iced over with freezing temperatures for days on end throughout the winter months.

*Note* These small insects can be an angler's blessing late in the season, when most of the major hatches have come and gone. During the end of summer, in the hours just before sunset, these tiny insects become the fish's only major offering from nature, and almost all fish will take full advantage.

In the above photograph

The long Round Tube Case (1/2 inch) is that of Brachycentridae (Apple + Grannom Caddis). The much smaller Triangular Tubes are actually Sheaths belonging to the Simuliidae Family (Blackflies).

Hatches

Seasonal peaks occur from the first week in April to the second week of June and then, steadily decline into the fall months. However, very large hatches of individual species can occur at most anytime of the year. As long as the surface of the water is clear of ice, these little tough insects will hatch. Chironomid larva on the bottom will sometimes exceed 50,000 individuals per square meter and thus form major hatches.

Always use an imitation that is slightly larger than the observed species. Most hatching activity occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Fish rising to midge pupae in the Presumpscot flats.

A typical Maine angler has a terrible prejudice against fishing midges, which emanates from a sense of insecurity born from either the inability to see the fly on the water or simply dismiss the use of them because of their very small size. Why some anglers can confidently fish nymphs up-and-across but abhor the thought of fishing midges with similar techniques boggles the mind. So let's make the difficult simple to understand.

Hatching Behavior

Midges rise to the surface as pupae and struggle slowly through the surface film while the pupa's body dangles vertically below. This is the most common stage for trout to take, though the adults may be useful at times too.

Midge pupae account for much of the mystifying midsummer spring creek action on evenings when no bugs seem to be in the air or on the water, yet trout are rising everywhere and ignoring one's flies. Recognizing a midge hatch is far from a guarantee of fish, however. Suitable imitations often produce when all else fails.

Habitat

These Chironomids are usually damp areas, or near bodies of fresh water. Larvae of most midges are aquatic; a few occur in decaying matter, under bark or in moist ground. Most of them are scavengers. Many of these aquatic insects live as Larvae, in tubes or cases. As long as they can find a food supply, Chironomid Larva will live in almost any type of water. 6-7

Clear or polluted with bottoms that are muddy, rocky, weedy or sandy doesn't seem to matter. However, their food source is generally most abundant on or near shoals and this is where their numbers peak. The preferred food source seems to be the Blue-Green Algae. As Larvae, they will attach themselves to submerged rocks and boulders or they may be located on or burrowed into the substrate.

The Pupal and Adult stages of these insects do not feed. These tough insects will even be very active in the dead of winter when most other insects are still crawling around the bottom. In fact, as long as ice isn't covering the water's surface, these species will continue to hatch year round.

Season

These bugs are present all year round and are especially useful during the late fall and winter months as most other aquatic insects have come and gone. Remember that fish tend to focus their attention to the most prevalent aquatic species and some times these insects are the lowly Midge. Food

As larvae most Midge insects are either filter feeders or leaf shredders. Some species (Tanypodinae) are predators, feeding on smaller invertebrates including other Chironomids.

As adults, some species don't feed at all and others will seek sugar provided by various tree aphids. The mouth parts of adult flies are all designed either for sucking and sponging, or piercing and sucking, no adult fly can chew its food.

Life Cycle

Most Midges have a complete life cycle of one year but some species can have as long as 5 years to complete their life cycle. The egg hatches into a small grub like creature which doesn't look anything like a fly at all, you have probably all seen maggots and mosquito larvae. The larvae eats and grows and occasionally sheds its skin until it is big enough to make an adult fly, then it pupates, in the more advanced forms inside its old larval skin (unlike most insects and the less advanced flies which shed their larval skin before they pupate) and changes into and adult fly.

That's enough fluff for just about anyone, so let's discuss Maine's best known Chironomids and Midges.

Maine's #1 Midge the Black Fly

Kingdom:	Animalia	(Animals)
Phylum:	Arthropoda	(Arthropods)
Class:	Insecta	(Insects)
Order:	Diptera	(True Flies)
Family:	Simuliidae	(Black Flies)
Genus:	Simulium	(Black Flies)
Species: 40	venustum	(Black Fly)

Larvae

Pupae

Adult

Family:	Simuliidae (Black Flies)
Genus:	12 Simulium (Black Flies)
Species:	254 venustum (Black Fly)
Common Name:	Black Fly
Larval Case:	Tube attached to substrate
Larval Type:	Particle Filtering (Feeding)
Larval Habitat:	Fast Water (Riffles & Runs)
Larval Activity:	Stationary Filter Feeder
Pupal Activity:	Just beneath Surface Film
Emergence:	Sporadically from May through September

Hook Size:

Larvae - #18 & #20
Pupae - #20 to #22
Adult - #16

Imitations:

Larvae: Beaded Chironomid (Black)
Pupae: Bug's Midge Pupa(Cream or Light Tan)
Adult: Griffith's Gnat

Beaded Chironomid Larval Hook: Mustad 9671 #18 and #20

Bug's Midge Pupa Hook Daiichi 1130 #20 and #22

Griffith's Gnat Hook TMC 101 #16 and #18

Unfortunately for us here in Maine, we have 40 different species of this insect. In fact, I've heard that this bug was jokingly referred to as Maine's State Bird.

Black flies often emerge in enormous numbers in the spring and early summer months, especially in the northern latitudes. Bites can be extremely painful, and their mouthparts are somewhat similar to those of a horse fly (bladelike and piercing) in the female. Mouth parts are rudimentary in the male. On people, they crawl into sleeves, under neckbands, around boot tops and other vulnerable places, especially favoring the head just beneath the rim of a hat.

Black Flies are attracted to humans by the carbon dioxide and the moisture during our exhaled breath, the dark clothing that we wear, convection currents, our own perspiration, after shave, deodorants, and other protective or hygienic items that we might place on ourselves. Flies usually bite during the day in outdoor shaded or partially-shaded areas. They do not bite indoors or late at night. Some fly 7 to 10 miles from the breeding sites, or are blown by wind even further to feed on warm-blooded animals and people. Flies usually bite for about three weeks before they die. Dark blue cloth attracts more flies than white cloth.

The season can begin no sooner that late April in Maine because the black fly larvae, which hatch in clear running streams, do not hatch until everything thaws and the water temperature has also risen a bit. The black fly season moves, in general, from South to North and simultaneously from the coastal plain to inland areas and from lowest elevations up to the highest. So there is no precise "end" to black fly season in Maine. However by mid-July in most places after the birds have start gobbling them up, and after the black fly adults have bred for the season and go into "dormancy", the numbers dwindle drastically almost everywhere.

Blackfly larvae attached to submerged rock.

Life Cycle

Our Black Flies are somewhat similar to our Small Eastern Blue Winged Olive, in that they (Black Flies) are multi-generational. The Black Fly produces 2 or more generations per year (bivoltine or multivoltine) that typically develop from early June through late September. The neat trick up its' sleeve is that the third or fourth generation have a genetic code that allows the egg to delay growth by going into diapause (resting period). This resting period allows the developing egg to survive a long Maine Winter and in late March the egg's genetic codes is switched back to on and this third or forth generation becomes our first Black Fly hatch of the season. The process is then repeated until early fall when the last Black Flies of the season deposit the eggs that will require the newly deposited eggs to once again require a period of diapause to survive the coming of the next winter.

Oviposting

Adult females deposit from 150 to 500 eggs in flowing water. Egg lying occurs near dusk for many species. The eggs are dropped singly from the air or deposited in masses on trailing vegetation, rocks, debris and other substrates. Eggs hatch in 2 days to 8 months, depending on black fly species and water temperature. Incubation time in some species is delayed by a prolonged diapause, or resting period. Eggs of many species can successfully withstand temperature extremes, fluctuating water levels, and flood and drought conditions during seasonal changes. Many species overwinter in the egg stage.

Larvae

Black Fly Larvae will anchor themselves to vegetation, rocks, boulders or debris by spinning a small silken pad with their mouthparts and inserting a row of hooks at the end of their enlarged abdomen into the silk pad. This technique allows the larvae to secure themselves in areas of very fast water velocity and orient their body with the abdomen pointed upstream, and head positioned downstream to feed. Much like our beloved Net-Spinning Caddis, Black Fly Larvae can easily relocate to other areas by drifting downstream on a silken thread, spinning a new silk pad, and reattaching themselves in areas with more acceptable substrates or food supplies. The larvae Feeds by expanding a pair of fan-like structures on their hardened head capsule to efficiently filter microscopic food particles from the water column. The larvae filter or scrape very fine organic matter, algae, bacteria and tiny aquatic creatures from the current or substrates. Larval instars vary from 4 to 9, depending on species, with many species passing through an average of 7 instars. Larval development time varies from 1 week to 6 months depending on species, water temperature, stream turbidity and food availability. Larval growth is very temperature dependent, with relatively slow or no growth during the cold winter months and very rapid growth during warm summer water temperatures. Some summer-developing, multi-generational species are capable of completing their entire life cycle in just a few weeks. Mature larvae, with fully developed respiratory filaments visible as a dark area on each side of the thorax, stop feeding, and construct a silken pupal cocoon where metamorphosis to the Pupal stage takes place. The last larval instar spins a reddish-brown, basket-like cocoon in which pupation occurs. These cocoons are attached to slightly submerged objects such as rocks, logs, roots and other debris.

PUPAE

Pupae secure themselves inside their cocoons with rows of hooks on their abdomen. The tightly woven or loose cocoons, characteristically shaped for each species, are attached to substrates with the closed end facing upstream to protect pupae from current and sediments. Some species have a lateral aperture, or window, on each side of the cocoon to increase water circulation around the pupa. The branched respiratory organs that project from the pupal thorax are designed to function in or out of water. This adaptation allows pupae to obtain oxygen at all times, and survive normal fluctuations in water levels. The pupal stage may last from 2 days to several weeks depending on the species and water temperature.

Black fly pupae are encased in a silk cocoon attached to vegetation or other objects in the water. This species has boot-shaped cocoon, with a raised collar in the front. Note the tentacle-like structures, called pupal gills, coming from the anterior region of pupa. These gills are the respiratory organs for the pupa. Loops of silk often surround the gills. These loops of silk may help create miniature eddies around the gills to aid respiration. S. venustum has a pair of gills with eight filaments each. They are designed to extract oxygen both in and out of the water. This helps the pupae survive if water levels fluctuate and the pupa is left above the water line. Simulium hippovorum is a blood-sucking insect closely related to mosquitoes. Adult females of certain species are fierce biters, whereas others are strictly a nuisance by their presence around exposed skin areas. Female black flies feed on blood; males feed mainly on nectar.

The pupal period varies from 4-5 days to as long as 3-5 weeks, depending on water temperature and species. Midges rise to the surface as pupae and struggle slowly through the surface film while the pupa's body dangles vertically below. This is the most common stage for trout to take, though the adults may be useful at times too. Once on the water's surface the insect unfolds its wings and flies away. Mating usually occurs shortly after the initial flight. The complete life cycle, from egg to adult, varies from 6-15 weeks and the number of generations per year ranges from one to six, depending on species and climatic conditions.

Adult

Adults emerge from the pupal skin through an elongate slit at the top of the thorax and ride a bubble of air that propels them to the water surface. Freshly emerged adults fly to streamside vegetation where their wings and bodies quickly dry and harden. Mature adults immediately seek food sources and mates. Both sexes feed on nectar, sap, or honeydew to obtain the sugar used for flight and energy. Only females feed on blood. In most species, mating takes place in flight, with females flying into male swarms that form over landmarks such as waterfalls, vegetation or host species. Males utilize their large eyes to detect and seize females entering the swarm. Male and female pairs exit the swarm, and mating takes place in flight in just a few seconds. Females then seek a host to obtain the blood meal required to nourish their eggs. Adults are strong fliers, capable of dispersing many miles from their larval habitats.

Imitations

A great imitation of this insect is in the pupal stage and is called a Zebra Midge. This pattern was reported to have originated around the Lee's Ferry area of Northern Arizona on the Colorado River. The Zebra Midge is one of those time tested patterns that has been used from the Eastern Sierras all the way up to British Columbia as a Chironomid Pupae for both still water and the slower moving waters of rivers and streams. The Zebra Tandem Technique

When using Floating Line, the primary imitation should be a #16 Zebra Midge Pupa. Some 16 inches below the primary imitation, tie a #20 Zebra Midge Larva. These two imitations are supported by the use of a Strike Indicator that will support the weight of the two flies. Another requirement is that you should place a small weight between the two flies. This will keep tension on the leader, allow a straight presentation, and improve any hook-ups. The Strike Indicator will both dictate the depth of the tandem rig so that the larval imitation is only 4 to 6 inches off the bottom substrate but also indicate the strike itself.

Retrieval Rate

Floating Line and the Midge Larvae

Use a hand-twist every 8 to 10 seconds, enhanced by several 4 to 6 inch draws every half minute. Remember that these insects are notoriously small and very slow moving. In order to be consistently successful, you have to do the same with your imitations.

Floating Line and the Midge Pupae

This is a strait-line retrieve using a hand-twist every 8 to 10 seconds, enhanced by a quick 4 to 6 inch draw every 30 seconds.

Sinking Line and the Midge Tandem Rig

This is a moving water technique and is a copy of the Dead-Stick Method used for both Mayflies and Caddisflies. It is an up-stream cast and as the rig approaches the angler lifts the rod and as the rig passes the rod is lowered.

Remember, were not talking fast water here but very slow river bends, eddies, back eddies and other slow moving sections of rivers and streams.

Another known characteristic is that these Chironomids exist in shallow water and this is based on the insect's food source (blue algae). Add to this knowledge base, the fact that chironomid's prefer muddy, decaying organic debris, and silt covered slow water environments. You can use this knowledge by fishing in water depths of 10 to 12 feet on lakes and ponds and 4 to 8 feet depths of slow moving waters of rivers and streams.

Black Fly Larvae attached to a large boulder.

One more fact to remember is that like Mayfly Nymphs and Caddisfly Larvae, Midge Larvae migrate from one location to another location. This migration can be to relocate to a better food source or the Larvae will migrate in the spring seeking the warmer water temperatures of shallower water, or to find a suitable area to pupate. This same migration pattern will repeat itself in the summer when the next generation of larvae will migrate to the deeper, cooler areas of the water column.

This temperature migration also affects the emergent locations as the morning hatches will be in the shallow water and the later hatches will be located in deeper areas of the water column.

Other Tips

I subscribe to John Goddard's midge philosophy. He advises using fluorocarbon tippet in 6x or 7X (for their holding power; it's too common to break off a fish on a tiny fly and fluorocarbon is much stronger than the same diameter in monofilament.) Goddard also offsets his hook (bending the point sideways) for better hooking stats. Tiny hooks need help. Goddard offset all his 16 and smaller hooks. He also advised using a short length of "power gum" an elastic material tied to the leader to allow the thin tippet to be tugged without breaking off. The power gum, also called "shock gum" is tied at the beginning of the leader.

Most fishers try to fish the midge pupa dead drift. Sometimes the key will be to let it swing below you and the trout will take it as it rises to the surface. If you see a feeding trout who refuses your pattern, try getting above him and time your drift so that the pupa rises up just in front of him. It often entices a strike.

Another tip. The Griffith's gnat is a versatile fly. You can cut the bottom hackles off flush with the hook so that the fly rides lower in the water. Often this will increase the effectiveness of the fly. If this doesn't help, then I try the fly wet just under the surface using the greased line technique by putting floatant on the leader stopping about 4 inches from the fly. This causes the fly to float just under the surface and you use the floating leader as a strike indicator. If you can't see the midge patterns, I do not hesitate to use a small polypro strike indicator tied with a slip knot about 2-3 feet up from the fly. It will help you locate your fly and help you decide if a rise could possible be to your fly.

Here's one final tip. Midge fishing will sometimes require a level of casting accuracy that you may think is beyond your capabilities. The trout's feeding lane or window is often very small because they are so close to the surface when feeding on midges. If you try the traditional up and across cast, you will become frustrated in a hurry.

Maine’s #2 Midge the Green Midge

Kingdom:	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum:	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class:	Insecta (Insects)
Order:	Diptera (True Flies)
Family:	Chironomidae (Biting Midges)
Genus:	Stenochironomus (Green Midges)
Species:	poecilopterus (Green Midge)
Emergence:	Late Spring through late August

Green Midge Adult

General Information

Midges are widely distributed in the United States and Canada. The most common midges people complain about are non-biting nuisance pests belonging to the family Chironomidae. The general public often refers to them as "gnats."

Chironomus midges are similar in appearance to the mosquito, but they cannot bite. Midges have plumose antennae that resemble a small feather. The adult midge may be a variety of colors, such as, black, Tan, dark brown and green.

During their swarming activities, adults may be attracted to lights. Buildings with outside lighting will attract large numbers of these insects. If these lights are around vent openings, air conditioning units or windows, the insects can find ways into the structure. The next day, dead midges can be found on window sills, possibly through the entire building. This causes concern to homeowners and occupants of office buildings, hotels and healthcare facilities.

Midge populations are dependent on water--this includes a variety of sources including wet soil or plant waterings. Most areas are perennially faced with large numbers of midges during periods of the warmer months. Typically, male midges swarm in large numbers at dusk. Mating occurs when females enter the swarm.

Larval Stage

Like mosquitoes, the midge larval stage is aquatic. The adult females lay eggs in masses over open water or attached to aquatic vegetation. They hatch in several days and the young larvae drop to the bottom where they build tube-like structures of bottom debris held together by strands of silk. The larvae are scavengers, feeding on bottom debris. Under favorable conditions, they are larvae for about four weeks and then they pupate for several days. Just before emergence, the pupa rises to the water surface, emerging from the water surface, like a mosquito. Larval midges are very beneficial because they serve as food for fish.

These insects (S. poecilopterus) are broadly distributed in the eastern Nearctic Region, from southern Quebec and Ontario to Florida. The larvae of this species appear to prefer moving water over the flat water of lakes and ponds. Unlike the Black Fly that has the egg go through a diapause phase, rearings and collections suggest that the third and forth instar of the Green Midge larvae are the overwintering stages.

Pupal Stage

Pupation and pupal chamber characteristics are very similar to both wood and leaf miners. The larvae, before pupation, construct a special pupal “cradle” by compacting the frass walls…or lining the chamber with frass and silk…At the end of the pupal “cradle” a semicircular flap is cut into the dorsal wall of the chamber through which the pupa emerged.

Prior to pupation the posterior prolegs of the larva were attached to a mass of silk and frass at the posterior end of the chamber.

Shortly before adult emergence, the pupa emerges from the pupal chamber via the semicircular flap at the end of the chamber. The pupa them swims to the surface and then the adult emerges from the pupal shuck. This adult emergence, takes place during the low light conditions of dusk.

Larval and Pupal activity is all year round. So imitations are very usable during the entire fishing season.

Hook Size:

Larvae - #18 & #20
Pupae - #20 to #22
Adult - #14 & #16

Imitations:

Larvae: Beaded Chironomid (Olive, Black, Brown)
Pupae: Bug’s Midge Pupa (Cream, Olive, and Light Tan)
Adult: Griffith’s Gnat (Olive & Black) This fly represents a cluster of emerging insects

Maine’s #3 Midge the Cranefly

Order:	Diptera (True Fly)
Family:	Tipulidae (Craneflies)
Genus:	Platytipula (Crane Flies) Nippotipula (Crane Flies) Glunatipula (Crane Flies)
Species:	P. latytipula (Yellowish Brown) N. abdominalis (Brown) G. dorsimacula (Reddish)

Green Midge Adult

General Information

Crane flies are generally beneficial two-winged flies that look a bit like large mosquitoes. Despite their somewhat scary appearance, they don't bite, suck blood, or carry diseases. In fact the adults are harmless and rather comical as they bounce around the landscape and off interior walls. They are also an important food source for birds and other critters. The aquatic larvae of many crane flies are indicators of good stream health, and become fish food. Other crane flies are decomposers and help break down decaying organic matter.

During the months of May and June, the larvae can represent almost 30% of a fish’s diet, especially after a period of high water.

The crane fly is popularly called A Texas Mosquito because it has a slender, mosquito-like body and extremely long legs. (In the United States, “daddy longlegs” generally refers to an arachnid.) Ranging in size from tiny to almost 3 cm (1.2 inches) long, these harmless, slow-flying insects are usually found around water or among abundant vegetation. The best-known family, the (Tipula), deposits its small black eggs in damp areas. Each egg hatches into a long slender larva, called a leatherjacket.

Description:

Although some people think these flies look like Texas-sized mosquitoes, and they have also wrongly been called "mosquito hawks." Crane flies, in Maine are large brown, tan, or reddish brown colored fragile flies with long legs. Adults and larvae do not feed on mosquitoes. Larval forms of crane flies are grey-brown cylindrical larvae which may bear fleshy lobes on the (posterior) end. Occasionally, the segments towards the end of the body can be greatly expanded.

Lifecycle

Like all other midges, the Crane Fly has a complete Life Cycle: The females will deposit her eggs so that when hatched the larvae will fall into the water. Larvae are often encountered under layers of decomposing leaves in wet locations such as ditch banks. The grub is available year round but because of the activity in March and April and again in September and October these grubs are very actively sort by fish.

Habitat and Food Source(s):

Larvae have chewing mouthparts. Crane fly larvae feed primarily on decomposing organic matter. Adults do not feed. They commonly occur in moist environments such as woodlands, streams and flood plains although some species inhabit open fields, dry rangeland and even desert environments. In compost piles, they often occur on the soil surface below the pile of decaying vegetation. Some species have been reported to feed on roots of forage crops, turf grasses and seedling field crops. Usually their presence causes little concern because they are assisting in the process of decomposition.

Hatching Behavior

Craneflies pupate for one to three weeks. The species which do so in the water then swim to the surface to emerge in the style of caddisflies, and are presumably vulnerable to trout, though I have not read about good fishing during these events.

Swisher and Richards in Selective Trout say the larvae all crawl out of the water to pupate, conflicting with the above account. There are so many species that it seems likely both behaviors occur in some species.

Egg-Laying Behavior

Adult craneflies are occasionally important during their mating flights when their clumsy flying can crash them by accident into the water. Windy days may also blow them in. The female will deposit her eggs so that when hatched the larvae will fall into the water.

Larva & Pupa Biology

Larvae have mouthparts and feed primarily on decomposing organic matter. Adults do not feed. They commonly occur in moist environments such as woodlands, streams and flood plains although some species inhabit open fields, dry rangeland and even desert environments. In compost piles, they often occur on the soil surface below the pile of decaying vegetation. Some species have been reported to feed on roots of forage crops, turf grasses and seedling field crops. Usually their presence causes little concern because they are assisting in the process of decomposition.

They live as larvae for about a year and sometimes the larvae end up in the drift in good enough numbers to get the trout excited. Buggy grub-like flies are locally known to perform well on certain rivers, and this may be due to a good population of drifting cranefly larvae. In general, larvae are more likely to be important than the adults. Ernest Schwiebert, notes in Matching the Hatch that they are most common in trout stomachs after the water has been high.

Larval Activity

These grub-like larvae roam around the substrate consuming decaying organic debris and from time to time get caught up in the biological drift. They tend to become very active and available to feeding fish during the month of May through late June then they will emerge during August.

Larval Imitation	Hook: Mustad 9762 #4 – 6 Thread: Brown 8/0 Tail: After Shaft Weight: Heavy Wire Rib: Clear Mono Body: Natural Rabbit Dubbing Head: Dark Brown Rabbit Dubbing
Adult Imitation	Hook: TMC Scud # 12 - #16 Thread: Tan Uni-thread 8/0 Body: Hare’s Ear Dubbing Eyes: Plastic Black Pearl Chain Legs: Paint Brush Bristles Wings: Montana Fly Co. Winging Material Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Maine’s #4 the Red Midge

Order:	Diptera (True Fly)
Family:	Chironomid (Midge)
Genus:	Chironomus (Blood Midge)
Species:	plumosus (Bloodworm)

Adult Red Midge

Blood Midges clinging to Aquatic Vegetation

Blood Midges

One interesting fact is that the blood of some midge larvae (called bloodworms) is red, unlike the blood of most other insects. It is red because it contains hemoglobin which binds tightly to oxygen. This is necessary because of the stagnant, low oxygen conditions that may be present where these larvae live.

The midge I’m discussing here is a currently undescribed species in the genus Axarus. This is a large midge, the adult is about half an inch long, and the larvae can reach almost an inch. The larvae are bright red, and are commonly called "bloodworms". This is due to a compound called hemoglobin that is present in the hemolymph (the insect version of blood) of the larvae. Insect hemoglobin is related to human hemoglobin, and performs the same function: storage and transport of oxygen to the body tissues.

These insects in the Axarus Genus live in tunnels burrowed into the soft substrate of rivers and streams. This soft substrate can be soft clay, silt, decaying organic material, and fine sand.

Surprisingly, these large larvae can inhabit these areas at densities of over 12,000 insects per square meter! This borrow is u-shaped and usually about three inches long.

The insect lines this burrow with silk from its salivary glands, which helps it maintain a good grip in the tunnel, prevent any possible cave-ins, and perhaps also helps it procure food. At the entrance this silken liner is continued above the opening and creates a sort of chimney. Because they are large and numerous insects, Axarus larvae are naturally a good source of protein for other denizens of the river such as; Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Salmon and other fish cruising the bottom for feeding opportunities.

Larval Stage

The red or Blood Midge lives in the oxygen poor zone at the bottom of lakes. Generally they inhabit mud & muck bottoms rather than sand & gravel. This zone is so deep that it receives little or no sun light for photo synthesis and the decaying vegetable matter absorbs oxygen. The red pigmentation of this midge is the hemoglobin it uses to store the oxygen it needs.

The blood midge larvae, burrow into the soft substrate where they undulate for minutes on end. This writhing motion stirs the water around and whatever tiny amount of oxygen might be available becomes fixed to the hemoglobin. When the insect hemoglobin (more correctly termed 2 heme, high affinity hemoglobin) becomes saturated with oxygen, the midge larvae rests to feed on the nutrient rich substrate in which it resides. At this point the larvae can survive in a completely oxygen free environment. When the oxygen stores are depleted and the larva enters into anaerobic metabolism, the midge once again commences its oxygen gaining dance.

Emergence

April, May, and June

The importance of color in using imitations

Red is the first band of light that water filters out so your red pupa does not appear red a few feet below the surface. It becomes shades of gray like on a black and white TV. At the surface the red/orange color becomes important, particularly for emergers.

Pearl is the choice for imitating the translucent qualities of rising pupa ( ie. mosquitos). It is a white pattern with multi-colored crystal flash wrapped over. Fish key in on positives and the multi-color over white gives lots of options. Pearl is a good choice for clear water conditions.

Black gives the most contrast in poor visibility conditions and thus is sometimes the most noticeable color for midge pupa. A number of black pupae naturally occur in both still and flowing waters. Black is the most often fished color of midge pupa.

The Grey Boy Emerger is an imitation that is silver with black banding on the body and a red or orange & black head. Again a multi colored offering hoping to appeal to some color the fish are used to feeding on.

Pupal Stage

After a few weeks or months, the larva enters a period of pupation. The pupa matures quickly, frees itself from the mud and swims in a squirming fashion towards the surface. The puparium is filled with gasses that give the pupa buoyancy and help its ascension. For the first time in its life, the midge enters the world of predators.

The gas filled translucent pupal sheath backlit by the relatively bright sky turns the pupae into shimmering orange sparks. The effect is extraordinary. Standard pupal imitations look like someone’s idea of a bad joke. A brassie gives off a coppery shine that appears lifeless next to the real deal; however, as traditional imitations go, it’s much better than most.

I personally like a thinly dubbed body of bright orange Antron (Umpqua "crayfish") ribbed with copper wire for weight. I treat this with powdered floatant to encase the bug in a flashy, transparent bubble. The pattern doesn’t look good to most anglers; however, the fish love them.

The ascending pupae finally bump up against underside of the lake’s surface film. This film is like a rubbery skin and the job of the pupa at this point is to punch a hole through this skin to create nothing less than an escape hatch for the adult midge. I’ve watched pupae bounce repeatedly off the tough skin until the head finally breaks through.

The pupal skin (exuvia) splits at the shoulders and the adult midge slowly squirts out. As the adult emerges, the tube-like exuvia reveals itself to be almost colorless; very similar to the plastic wrapper that contains a drinking straw. Invariably there are a few tiny bubbles in the sheath and they, along with the transparent membrane itself, sparkle in the back lit sky’s light.

Only after most of the adult has wriggled out do the legs pull free and settle down on the water. The whole effect is very smooth, delicate, and efficient. Compare this with a mayfly that emerges by dragging itself out of the opaque and messy nymphal exoskeleton by clawing with its feet against the surface tension. From a trout’s vantage, a mayfly emerger and a midge emerger are as different as night and day.

The emerger is the life stage most vulnerable to predation. The larvae, of course, are immune to predation because they live where fish can’t. The ascending pupae are eagerly eaten, however, since these guys are scattered throughout the water column, it is relatively inefficient for trout to graze on them. At the surface, all pupae stall out in a single strata and it is here that trout congregate to feed.

Some trout key in on the pre emergent pupae and a few seem attracted to the recently freed winged adult. Most fish however, want the emerger, and few trout would ever pass one by.

The Peacock Brassie	Hook: Mustad Shrimp/Caddis #18 & #20 Thread: Black 8/0 Weight & Body: Copper Wire Thorax: Peacock Herl
The Red Midge Larvae	Hook: Daiichi 1270 #12 - #16 Thread: Red 6/0 Uni-thread Body: Red Thread Thorax: Red Thread Built-up Rib: Red Thread

Maine’s #5 the Zebra Midge

Order:	Diptera (Midges)
Family:	Chironomidae (Midges)
Genus:	Coelotanypus (Black Midge)
Species:	scapularis (Zebra Midge)

The Zebra Midge is a great offering in medium to slow flow rates on rivers and streams in Maine. The problem that I often see, fishing our Maine waters is that these bugs are a great mystery to most Maine Anglers. I even know knowledgeable fly anglers that consider fishing these small offerings to be too marginally effective. Fishing these small flies, success is a direct result of a correct presentation.

The beauty of the Zebra Midge’s design is that it imitates a large number of different midge pupae ascending to the waters surface to emerge.

The zebra midge imitation can be fished by a number of methods. It is a sinking fly, so most of the time it will be fished dead drifted on the stream bottom with or without a strike indicator. The secret with this fly is to keep it rolling and drifting with the current down deep. Trout key on midge naturals as they get dislodged from the rocks and debris in the stream and drift with the current. This is exactly what the fly fisher is trying to imitate.

To better your chances with strikes, a tandem rig (2 fly set-ups) with a strike indicator can be used. In one version, the zebra midge can be tied 12-16 inches behind the first fly, usually a type of bead head nymph, with a strike indicator further up the leader. When fishing this set-up, both flies should be drifting along the stream bottom. A good rule of thumb: if you’re not getting snagged every few casts, you’re not on the bottom. One need’s to be where the trout are feeding and that is down deep. Make sure there is enough line between your strike indicator and the first fly to achieve this. A simple technique to use to estimate stream depth is to look at the water height on your waders and add another 12 to 16 inches to compensate for stream flow. The flies will not hang directly under the strike indicator when fished, due to the differences in drift rates between the strike indicator and flies, thus the need for extra line length.

If not fished with a tandem rig, I like to fish a single imitations suspended between 12 and 16 inches below my strike indicator. Remember that a small fly requires a small indicator. These tiny midges require tiny tippets. So, use either 6x or 7x in slower water because these small tippets are lighter and more suppler allowing for a more natural motion of the imitation your using.

Fishing midge patterns is only effective if fish are actively feeding on emerging insects. Once at the river or stream, have a seat and watch the water. You’re looking for fish rolling in the current as they ingest midge pupae struggling towards the surface. You could also experience the occasional surface action of the same feeding pattern.

Now, I’m not going to burden you with several more species of chironomids because the format is the same for all of these creatures. The only differences are the colors. Use imitations tied in the same manner but use different colors such as Red, Black, and Olive Green.

Let’s turn our attention to Casting:

When you are launching a nymph or midge pattern, remember to keep a slightly open loop. This is a gentle but complete cast, so don’t try to muscle your cast because you’re not casting more than 30 or 40 feet.

You want to cast up-and-across stream to an area above the feeding fish. Allow the indicator to drift down-stream and directly across from your position. This is where you will make an up-stream mend to allow the fly to continue a drag-free drift. You want to keep all of the line up-stream of the indicator.

Watch the indicator throughout the drift. If the indicator disappears below surface, changes direction, or stops, SET THE HOOK!!!

This is why a lot of fly anglers don’t bother to fish these imitations.

Hook Size:

Larvae - #16 & #22
Pupae - #20 to #22
Adult - #16

Imitations:

Larvae:
Pupae:
Adult: Zebra Midge

Hook:	Scud #18
Head:	Brass or Black Bead
Thread:	Black Tying 8/0
Body:	Black Stretch Floss
Rib:	Fine Silver Wire

Maine’s #6 The Net-Winged Midge

Order:	Diptera (Midges)
Family:	Blephariceridae (Net-Winged Midges)
Genus:	27 Agathon (Net-Winged Midges)
Species:	300 arizonica (Net-Winged Midge)

The Net-winged midge is one of the more distinctive and specialized insect families. The immature stage of this fly is highly specialized for life in the cascades, rapids, and waterfalls of elevated streams. The four larval instars show many adaptations to a life in flowing water, including a cephalothorax (fused head, thorax and first abdominal segment) and six ventral suctorial discs.

Adult Stage

Adult blepharicerids show a diversity of habits. Females of many species are predators of other insects, especially soft-bodied aquatic insects (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies). Additional prey items include other Diptera: e.g., Chironomidae, Dixidae, Tipulidae, and smaller Blephariceridae. The food of males and nonmandibulate females is unknown, but nectarivory is likely in some species. Adults of most species are short-lived (1-2 weeks), with male longevity somewhat less than that of the female. Few species venture much beyond the riparian zone.

Adults of some groups (e.g., Blepharicera) are seen frequently resting on the undersides of leaves of riparian trees. Other species (e.g., Larval blepharicerids constitute a guild of highly specialized grazers in streams. Many Agathon, Philorus) prefer to rest on wetted, overhanging rock faces. The resting position is distinctive, with the wings held at a moderate angle to the body and the hind legs angled at the tibiofemoral joint (i.e., knock-kneed). Knowledge of adult activity is poor for most species even some that are widespread and common. For some species (e.g., many Apistomyia), the habits of males are a complete mystery and those of females are based primarily on observations of oviposting individuals. Mating typically occurs soon after emergence and oviposting shortly after copulation. Small clusters of eggs are cemented to wetted or emergent rocks. In some species, the female crawls beneath the water and oviposits on submerged rocks.

Pupal Stage

Pupal orientation apparently promotes formation of a downstream vortex across the respiratory organs (Pommen and Craig 1995), which may enhance delivery of oxygen to the pupa’s respiratory surfaces. Suctorial discs function as true hydraulic suckers and help the larva attached to smooth substrata (e.g., they easily attach to glass). The pattern of suctorial-disc attachment and general movement of larvae are complex, behavior dependent, and predictable. Larval blepharicerids are grazers (scrapers), using their highly specialized mouthparts to feed on the thin film of algae, bacteria and other organic matter (periphyton) on submerged rocks. Diatoms appear to be the major component of their diet.

The duration of the pupal stage varies with species and stream temperature, but usually lasts between 2-3 weeks. Emergence of the adult requires that the pupa is attached firmly to the substrate. Thoracic sutures are ruptured by downward pressure from legs and wings, and the emerging adult usually reaches the stream surface in an air bubble. Emergence can be quite brief, requiring from 3-5 minutes. The wings develop to full size within the pupal case and merely unfold during emergence; therefore, adults can fly immediately upon reaching the water surface. Some species emerge at night or during dawn or dusk, but many species emerge primarily during the day.

In spite of their seemingly "narrow" habitat requirements, sympatry among congeners is common and frequently involves co-occurrence of several species. Studies of eastern North American blepharicerids have shown coexistence of 5-6 species at many sites and even more (up to ten species) at some streams. Temporal separation, microhabitat partitioning, differences in larval diet, and variable adult emergence times are among possible mechanisms of reproductive and ecological isolation. Phenological information is lacking for most blepharicerids. Available data suggest that many blepharicerid populations are univoltine and exhibit rapid growth after a long period of dormancy (e.g., egg diapause). In most species, post-diapause growth and development (i.e., egg hatching) begins when stream temperatures increase during the spring. Development time (i.e., egg-hatch to emergence) varies substantially among and sometimes within species, depending on season / thermal regime.

Although often considered rare, blepharicerids can be an important component of stream ecosystems. In some streams, densities of immature stages can exceed 1000/m2, making blepharicerids not only the dominant grazer but one of the most abundant insects. Perhaps because of their specialized and demanding habitats, the larvae and pupae of blepharicerids are preyed upon by few organisms. Among the most important predators of pupae are larval rhyacophilid caddisflies. These flies are sometimes an important food for trout. Because blepharicerids inhabit clean, cool, well-oxygenated streams, the group is a potentially valuable bioindicator of water quality.

LARVAE

Prepupal larvae often migrate to specific areas of the rock or stream, which in some groups (e.g., many Blepharicera) includes depressions on the upper, downstream faces of rocks; other groups (e.g., some Apistomyia, Philorus) prefer madicolous- or splash zones on emergent rocks. Rarely does pupation occur on organic substrates. The emerging pupa sheds the larval skin, usually intact, and simultaneously attaches itself to the rock by 3-4 pairs of ventrolateral adhesive discs. The entire process usually requires approximately 5-10 minutes. Blepharicerid pupae are well adapted to life in high current velocities, being dorsoventrally compressed and streamlined. Some rocks may harbor hundreds of pupae, most oriented in the same direction.

Maine’s #7 Midge the Dance Fly

Order:	Diptera (Midges)
Family:	Empididae (Dance Flies)
Genus:	Empis (Dance Flies)
Species:	longicauda (Dance Fly)
Common Names:	Dancing Midge, Balloon Midge
Emergence:	May through July

Dance flies are known for their mating swarms, in which large numbers flies, sometimes all of one gender, fly up and down in an oval pattern some three or four feet above the water. These swarms sometimes occur during early evening, but most often at dusk when they are very difficult to see.

Dance fly diversity may be an example an effect predicted originally by Darwin - that groups of organisms characterized by conspicuous ornaments and markings for attracting mates may form new species at an increased rate. Such ornaments reflect the process of evolution by sexual selection, which is ubiquitous in nature, but may be unusually strong in dance flies (see Morphology, Behavior).

The subfamily Empidinae (Diptera: Empididae) has at least 1,500 described species, but it is expected that twice this number of species actually exist. Dance flies are particularly well-known in Europe where nearly 600 species are known. The diversity is not fully known in other regions, especially North America and Australia. In North America alone, about 500 undescribed species of empidines are known in museum collections!

In north temperate areas, there are three large genera of empidines: Empis, Rhamphomyia, and Hilara, each with hundreds of species. 27 other genera are recognized, mostly in the southern hemisphere. Empis and Rhamphomyia are further split into a number of subgenera, but this classification does not accommodate many species outside of Europe and northern Asia. The classification of the Empidinae is summarized below (after Sinclair & Cumming, 2006). Click on thumbnail images at right for a larger picture. Male dance flies of some species are known to capture smaller insects and wrap them in silk, then fly about offering the prey to receptive females in the swarm. They have even been known to offer empty balls of silk in an effort to deceive females into mating with them. It is not known how often this practice is successful, however, one would think evolutionary pressures would have eliminated the deceptive strains were it not a viable reproduction tactic

Courtship involves the male presenting a dead fly to the female. Mating does not take place until the female accepts the fly and feeds on it. The adults usually inhabit moist regions and feed on smaller insects. The larvae occur in soil, water, or decaying plant material and also feed on insects.

Females in the swarm are similarly engaged in deception: they pump up air sacs in the abdomen, ostensibly in an effort to fool the males into thinking they are bulging with ripe eggs. The fringed legs are said to enhance the effect. The female is also been observed in dancing flight holding all of her legs folded against the abdomen, which looks like she is just trying to look as large as possible; much like a cat fluffs its fur when threatened. These insects, in the larval stage will burrow themselves in the fine or soft substrate until the time of pupation. After pupation the pupae will release themselves from the substrate and become caught up in the biological drift. Their efforts in getting to the underside of the meniscus make them available to feeding fish.

Maine’s #8 the Meniscus Midge

Order:	Diptera (True Fly / Midge)
Family:	Dixidae (Meniscus Midges)
Genus:	Dixa (Meniscus Midges)
Species:	submaculata (Meniscus Midge)
Common Names:	The Gray Midge
Emergence:	March through June

In North America there are over two thousand species; in Britain there are at least 430; while there are over 600 species in mainland Europe; over 200 in Australia; and even more the world over. Where they are found, the midges form at least 50% of the aquatic insect population. In rivers midge can outnumber the 'mayflies' by as many as four times. Since the early part of 20th Century entomologists have gained a detailed understanding of these insects; knowledge which anglers have not ignored. The midge's lifecycle includes a full metamorphosis. Starting as eggs they hatch out as larvae and then have later phases as pupae and then adult.

Meniscus midge larvae live at the water surface (meniscus) and use it for support, moving by u-bends. They eat bits of plant and small animals which fall onto the water surface.

The larvae are very slim worm-like creatures with subtly segmented bodies. Their length varies from a few millimeters to at least two and a half centimeters. While a range of sizes may be found in still-waters, rivers typically host the smaller species. Their coloration varies and shades of brown or green are common amongst the smaller species. Depending on the specific species the larval phase will last between three months and two years.

The larvae can be found at depths to over 50ft in lakes and ponds but predominate in marginal depths in streams and rivers of 2-20ft. At the lake or riverbed, besides a few free swimming species, the larvae burrow or build tubes attached to weed, stones, and in the mud-water interface. Here they are secure, exposing themselves only to feed. Over-wintering populations sometimes migrate moving from shallow to deeper water and vice-versa according to the seasons. When the larvae forage or migrate they are especially vulnerable to predation by fish, and a well presented artificial can be effective for the angler.

At the end of the larval phase the midge change into pupae. This transformation takes at most a few days and within the larval chamber. While the pupae may immediately swim to the water surface, water temperature may temporarily arrest this passage through the water column and the pupae will hold just off the bottom waiting for conditions to change. In lakes this phenomena, known as staging is especially significant to anglers, where large numbers can hold in the first few feet off the bottom. When conditions are right the pupae will start their slow ascent to the surface with a rise and fall motion assisted by gases forming within the pupal skin. During the ascendance to the surface the pupae will become more silvery as the gases build up; the pupae may also change color. Either when staging or making their slow ascent the pupa is vulnerable to predation. The fish will often feed on them at a specific point in the water column so it can be critical to present your artificial at a specific depth to fall within the feeding zone.

Pupa patterns are effective when nymphing anywhere from the streambed to the waters surface meniscus. Some species of midges cling to substrate on the rivers bottom to make this transition from larva to pupa. Whereas other species of midges are free swimming when making this transition. The midge pupa is typically a shorter, stockier version of the larva, with a robust and pronounced thorax complete with wing pads, gills, and legs. The free swimming pupa move with short bursts as they work their way up to the waters surface. Upon reaching the surface they hang almost vertically with their thorax against the meniscus until the adult breaks through its pupal sheath and pushes through the surface tension to hatch. Several fly patterns are effective when imitating midge pupa including: Jujubee Midges, WD-40’s, WD-50’s, Johnny Flashes, and RS-2’s, One of our favorite techniques to fish pupa patterns is a Dry/Dropper setup using a midge dry fly as an indicator (a surprising number of fish will take the adult as well) and hanging a midge pupa behind as a trailing fly.

The distance between the two flies varies on the depth at which the trout are feeding. This could be anywhere from the waters surface to three feet or more. Your trick here is to focus on an individual fish and not a group or pod of fish. Pupa are the most vulnerable to trout when they are trapped in the surface meniscus drifting anywhere from mere seconds to minutes. Greasing your tippet to within a quarter inch of your pupa pattern will enable your fly to hang in that meniscus. You will know that trout are focused on pupa by leaving a tiny dimple rise form that leaves no sign of a trailing bubble after eating the insect.

At the surface the pupae will hang down below the meniscus briefly between spells of swimming horizontally below it in search of a point to break through. When it is ready to hatch into an adult, the midge will lie static and prone below the meniscus and push its way from the pupal skin through the water surface, emerging from a split in the top of the pupal skin at the thorax. This process is not an instant one and certain conditions can trap the pupae in or below the water surface. When this happens fish may feed on them in a leisurely fashion picking them off one after another. On rivers the fish will hold a station and take the pupae as they drift into view while in lakes the fish will swim along picking the pupae off as they swim along a wind lane or another advantageous route. An intercepting cast should account for these fish.

The hatched adult alights from the surface very quickly delaying only a few moments for their wings dry. The males then collect to form swarms while female adults fly off in search of cover or the male swarms. Swarming males release pheromones into the air which are detected by the females. Females fly into the swarm to mate. During mating sometimes pairs or groups of adults will fall on the water surface in amorous entanglements. Often mating activity will take place away from the water but later females will return to the water to lay eggs (oviposit). The females distinguishable by their stout conical shaped bodies can be seen carrying their eggs over the water. The ovipositing adult may in flight carry its abdomen curled down and forward presenting a hook shaped silouette. Presenting a suitable dry fly should account for fish found feeding on the mating and ovipositing midge.

I think you have had enough of Midges by now and below are several patterns that may be useful.

Green Midge Larvae	Miracle Midge
Red Midge Larvae	UFO Midge

Chironomidae Fly Fishing Tactics

Despite the tiny size of midges, trout can be very selective to their size and color. Remember that a difference of a single hook size in the tiny sizes is a very large percentage difference and very noticeable by the trout. Netting some of the real insects before choosing a fly is surely a good idea, but it's easier said than done.

Down-and-Across to Feeding Fish

It’s no secret that trout have less time to inspect your imitation when feeding close to the surface. Most anglers get very discouraged and frustrated when they aren't getting any takes and often wonder if they have the right imitation or if micro-drag is causing refusals. Sometimes this is the case, but in most instances, the trout has not seen the fly. A fish holding just below the surface has a very narrow field of vision, and in some instances, a fly delivered inches to one side or the other is off target. You have to spoon-feed these trout so all they have to do is open their mouths.

For this reason, long drifts to specific holding areas are usually ineffective. You simply can't cast 5 to 10 feet upstream of a trout and hope the fly drifts directly to him. Bull's-eye casts are what separate expert midge fishermen from the tourists on tough tailwaters.

The best presentation is usually a down-and-across cast where you deliver the fly 6 inches directly upstream of the trout. You don't need a lot of slack in the line because your drift will be short. 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. Strike Indicators

The trick, then isn’t to be able to see your imitation at all, any more than it is to be able to see a larval or pupal imitation as it dead-drifts downstream towards you under the surface. Instead, the technique is to know precisely where the fly is at all times, so that when a fish rises for it, you can set the hook. This problem is solved with the use of a bobber, oh sorry, a Strike Indicator.

I would like to recommend a moveable yarn indicator, a small cork or foam indicator held in place with a toothpick or the newer Thingamabob. Putty, stick-on foam indicators, or loose yarn tied on with a slip knot are fine for static fishing, but can be frustrating nuisances when you move your indicator thirty times a day or more. An indicator that moves quickly and stays in place after you move it will make your day more enjoyable. To present your imitation to a rising fish requires that you be positioned to get an absolutely drag-free drift. Although your midge pattern may be no more than a wisp of dubbed fur on a #22 hook, if it drags, the fish usually will reject it and additionally be spooked and go down for the count.

Using a Dry as a Strike Indicator

At the end of your tippet tie on a size # 16 or #18 Griffith’s Gnat. Now attach a twenty inch (20”) section of material to the Griffith’s Gnat’s hook bend and Now that your all rigged up, cast up and across to the head of the riffle and allow the imitations to drift drag-free until below you, then rise the rod tip and as the line straightens out will cause the imitations to suddenly rise towards the surface just like the emerging midges. If you plan well, this rise will occur just within the two-foot strike zone of a feeding fish.

Your task is made easy by positioning yourself across and somewhat down-stream of your target fish, then three-quartering the fly up-stream casting either a right or left curve into your line and leader, depending on whether the stream flows from right to left or left to right.

Weight

Another key to getting your fly to the fish is weight on the leader. Midge flies are too small to effectively use terminal weight, so you must carry a good selection of non-toxic micro-split-shot in various sizes. As with the leader length, you must constantly change the weight on your leader to match the water depth and speed you are fishing in. Weight on your leader helps you get down to where the fish are, but it also interferes with your ability to detect strikes because it creates a dead zone between the weight and the rest of your leader. Lighter weights reduce this effect, so I recommend using as little weight as possible for the water type. Spreading the weight along the leader also reduces the "anchor" effect. If you need a lot of weight, it's best to distribute a few pieces along the leader, rather than putting on one big shot in a single spot. I fish two flies and always position the top fly above the weight so I have direct contact with at least one fly.

Droppers

In a two-fly rig, I tie a pupa on top, because the real thing is likely to be higher in the water column than a larva. When fish begin to key on pupae, they start taking the top fly more than the bottom fly, but there are other signs. You'll begin to see adult midges on the surface of the water and rocks along the shore. If you are sight-fishing, you'll notice the fish are more active. 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.

RIGGING

Now, for the rigging, long fine leader tippets are generally essential to successful midge fishing, because

1. typical Diptera water is slower, flat and clearer, 2. heavier tippet material just won’t thread themselves through those little hook eyes, and 3. the fine fluorocarbon tippet material enhances the impression of a free-floating insect

I use eight (2) feet of 6X to 7X fluorocarbon tippet material, which ironically, makes presenting the midge a more manageable challenge than trying to do so with the more conventional tippet lengths of three or four feet.

This will finish up with the section dealing with Midges. The end result is that unlike the Mayflies, Caddisflies, and Stoneflies, your imitations don’t have to be species specific with the secondary problem of dealing with silouette and action.

This simplicity is two-fold; one imitation can possibly match several different species of Midges, and second, just choose the right size and color.

Deep-Water Midge Pupa Fishing

Pupae are not swimmers and the bottom current eddies will hold them down until they wiggle free or they are forced out by these same currents. You must get the imitation close to the bottom and have it drift drag-free within inches of where you think a fish might be holding.

Use a short leader of 4X tippet so that it will reach the bottom. Now add a foot of 5X tippet with split shot just above the knot. To the tippet, tie on a larger bead-head midge pupa. To the bead-head midge pupa hook bend, tie on another 12 inches of 5X and to that; tie on a smaller midge pupa. Now position a strike indicator on the leader; so that the lowest midge pupa is a foot above the bottom.