Fly Tying Inventory
Ghost Midge
Jake Ricks showed Cheech the Ghost Midge about 20 years ago and has allowed Fly Fish Food to share it. This realistic midge pupa has a glass bead head and a body of flash covered by a wrap of white Life-Flex spandex. The same body treatment can be used on any midge pupa, with colors and sizes changed to suit. Cheech ties it in cream, black, red and brown, in sizes 16 to 22. Cream thread, black flash and a tan bead make the cream version. Tied here on a size 20 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill FM5027 Grab Gape Heavy Barbless, black nickel, size 20 (or TMC 2487)
Black Nickel · 20
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, black (or UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier, cream)
Black · 12/0
Killer Caddis Glass Beads, midge size, MT-Gunmetal (or CC-Tan, CC-Peacock Emerger, OP-Black, TR-Peacock)
MT-Gunmetal · Midge
How to Tie the Ghost Midge
- 1
Step 1
Slide the glass bead up to the eye and clamp the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the thread behind the bead, trim the tag and wrap a smooth layer down the shank to the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a strand of Life-Flex and bind it along the shank so it trails off the rear of the hook.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in the rib material the same way so it also trails off the rear.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap the thread forward to just behind the bead, keeping the underbody smooth and slim.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the rib forward in open spirals, tie it off behind the bead and trim the excess.
- 7
Step 7
Wrap the Life-Flex forward over the rib in close turns, keeping tension on the strand.
The spandex is translucent, so the thread color and the rib show through it. That layered look is what makes the body.
- 8
Step 8
Tie off the Life-Flex behind the bead and trim the excess.
- 9
Step 9
Whip finish behind the bead and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOSb6KDYg-c
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food