Fly Tying Inventory
Faded Chironomid
Faded Chironomid is a quick, durable stillwater fly tied by Cade Moore of Fly Fish Food, who keeps it in his chironomid box as a confidence pattern. It works through the year and does especially well from ice-off well into spring. The look comes from blending two thread colors, with red at the rear fading into black toward the bead, and the same blend can be tied in a wide range of other colors. Silver wire ribs the body and UV resin seals it. Tied here on a size 14 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill FM5067 Czech Nymph Heavy Barbless hook, black nickel, size 14
14
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 8/0, red, for the base (or UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier, red)
Red · 8/0
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 8/0, black, for the fade (or UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier, black)
Black · 8/0
Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Neon Colors, fl. white, 3/32 inch (2.3mm) (or Fulling Mill Painted Tungsten Beads, fl. white, 2.4mm)
Fl. White · 2.3mm
Semperfli Tying Wire 0.2mm, bright silver (or UTC Ultra Wire, small, silver)
Bright Silver · 0.2mm
Solarez Bone Dry PLUS 0.5 Fl. Oz. Squeeze Bottle with Tip, for coating the body
How to Tie the Faded Chironomid
- 1
Step 1
Slide the fl. white bead up to the eye and set the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the red thread behind the bead, wrap back into the bend and trim the tag.
- 3
Step 3
Lay a smooth red base along the body and bring the thread back to the bead.
- 4
Step 4
Lay the silver wire along the shank and bind it down with the red thread to the rear of the body, leaving the long end hanging past the bend. Return the thread to the bead.
- 5
Step 5
Tie off the red thread behind the bead and cut it. Start the black thread in the same spot.
- 6
Step 6
Carry the black thread back toward the bend in open turns over the red, stopping short of the rear so a band of red stays clear.
- 7
Step 7
Work the black thread back and forth over the front of the body, turning it solid toward the bead so the red fades into the black. Finish with the thread behind the bead.
- 8
Step 8
Wrap the wire forward in evenly spaced open turns up to the bead, tie it off and remove the excess.
- 9
Step 9
Whip finish behind the bead and trim the thread.
- 10
Step 10
Apply a thin coat of Solarez Bone Dry over the body, turning the fly to keep it even, and cure it with a UV light.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXAMa6XAgbA
Credit: Cade Moore / Fly Fish Food