Cream Midge Spinner
Don Kelly (Skilled Fisherman) PA
Each and every year many of us struggle with
midges and those little tiny hooks that are nearly
impossible to see. Although the size of the hook
will probably never change, there are easier ways
to catch the finicky trout sipping midges.
About three years back, I was fishing Big Fishing
Creek in upstate Pennsylvania. It is by far one
of the finest trout streams in the state in my
opinion. Many great hatches, including the famous
Green Drake, as well as many smaller insects such
as Blue Quills and Sulphers, can be seen daily.
However, when the mayflies are not coming off,
you can be sure the trout are taking midges. Just
before dusk, clouds of cream midges flock to the
stream and soon enough emergers are everywhere.
Trout rise from deep pools and begin feeding off
the surface. Trout as long as your arm mosey into
slower water to feed.
It was here that I found the necessity for a
reliable midge pattern. Griffith's Gnats work
okay, but are a little too dark. CDC type midge
adults are good too, but they only last a fish or
two before you need to tie on another one. After
many quite disappointing days I met an elderly fly
fisherman one night along the stream. He noticed
me struggling, and he was kind enough to lend a hand.
He peered into his box and grabbed a tiny Light Cahill
for me to try. Being a Catskill lover, I tied the fly
on with very high hopes that it would work. Well, sure
enough the pattern worked but I was still not getting
great results from the gorging trout.
The day came to an end and I headed back to the
hut to do some tying. My eyes became heavy, but
I soon realized what I needed. The midges were
sitting flush in the water and that is why I was
having such trouble. The Catskill pattern floated
high as did the Griffith's gnat. Even though a
spent midge is not quite the same as a mayfly
spinner, I felt a spinner style fly was the best
way to go. Minutes later, the cream midge spinner
was created. The following day proved my theory
right as trout after trout inhaled the fly. One
of its best features is its high visibility on the
water, so there is no guessing. You know when fish
take this fly! Simple yet deadly, this fly has
earned its keep in my fly box.
Cream Midge Spinner Materials
Hook: Mustad 94840 #22-#28.
Thread: Danville Spider web 18/0.
Tail: Cream Hackle fibers.
Abdomen: Cream or 'Light Cahill' dry fly dubbing.
Wing: White, tan or cream poly yarn.
Thorax: Cream dry fly dubbing.
Instructions for the Cream Midge Spinner:
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