Top Secret Midge

Materials

How to Tie the Top Secret Midge

1. 1

   Step 1

   Place a size 20-26 curved midge hook in the vise and attach dark brown thread behind the eye.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Wrap the thread rearward to the bend in smooth touching turns, trimming the tag end.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Optionally tie in a short piece of amber or brown Antron/Z-Lon at the bend as a shuck, extending slightly beyond the hook bend.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in a short length of white thread or floss at the rear of the hook, just above the shuck tie-in point.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Wrap the brown thread forward forming a slim, tapered abdomen body up to about two-thirds of the shank.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Spiral-wrap the white thread through the body to form clear segmentation, then tie off and trim excess.

   Keep the segmentation even and visible — the contrast between brown body and white rib is a key trigger.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Tie in a small pinch of white poly yarn, CDC tuft, or Sparkle Organza at the front of the body, facing upward to mimic the emerging wing.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Dub a tiny ball of rusty brown or gray/black dry fly dubbing behind the wing for the thorax.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Whip finish behind the hook eye and trim the wing tuft so it extends just past the thorax.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Apply a small drop of head cement to secure the thread wraps.

    Fish this pattern just in or below the surface film as a dropper under a dry fly or small indicator. Use 5X-6X tippet.