Fly Tying Inventory
Manhattan Midge
The Manhattan Midge was developed by Forrest Dorsey during a winter in New York City, combining the best features from the Top Secret Midge, Mercury Black Beauty, and Mercury Blood Midge. Its silver-lined glass bead, flashy wing bud, and peacock herl thorax create a hybrid midge emerger that's proven on Colorado tailwaters and beyond. The shiny bead mimics the gas bubble of an emerging midge.
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Materials
TMC 2487 or 2488, sizes 18-24, scud/pupa style hook
Killer Caddis silver-lined glass bead, extra small (2.0-2.4mm)
Black or red 8/0 (70 Denier)
Ultra Wire, extra small or fine, silver or copper
Tying thread (black, brown, or red)
Glamour Madeira, Kreinik Metallics, or light pink Sparkle Braid / Fluoro Fiber
Peacock herl
How to Tie the Manhattan Midge
- 1
Step 1
Slip the silver-lined glass bead onto the hook and secure in the vise, pushing the bead up to the hook eye.
- 2
Step 2
Attach thread behind the bead and create a smooth thread base down the shank.
- 3
Step 3
Secure a piece of extra-small silver or copper Ultra Wire along the hook shank.
- 4
Step 4
Continue wrapping thread to form a slim, tapered body going slightly into the bend, then bring thread forward leaving room for the thorax.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap the wire in open, even turns up the shank to form segmentation. Tie off and break or trim excess.
The slim, segmented profile is key — avoid building bulk.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in a short tuft of Glamour Madeira or Sparkle Braid just behind the bead so it pokes up and slightly over the bead, forming the emerging wing bud.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in a single strand of peacock herl behind the bead. Wrap it several times to make a small thorax and tie off.
- 8
Step 8
Whip finish behind the bead and trim thread. Apply a tiny drop of head cement if desired.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa0h0s_wCG8
Credit: Forrest Dorsey