Your time line for the fly starting on the SJ and ending up in Denver is right about the same time I was introduced to that pattern. I would guess it was maybe 1986 or 87 for me. By the way the person that introduced me to your SJ midge was also from Denver.
I was shown the pattern without a wing on it. I added a foam wing to it a few years later.
The SJ Midge was the pattern responsibe for my first 20/20 fish and 22/22 fish. I tied them with black, brown, olive, tan, and red heads/thread, and have yet to find a bad color combination.
Thanks for the blast from the past Normand.