Need to up my midge game - tips and hints please

[Letort]

I was on the Letort the other night (but this applies to almost any body of water) and an occasional rise was happening. Nothing apparent in the air for a hatch, so assuming they were after midges. Tied on a 26 Griffith gnat but no interest. Was really tough to get a good drift with the cress beds popping up through the water surface and grabbing line and leader.

I am probably the world’s worst midge fisherman and have caught far fewer trout on midges than any other fly. I am guessing that presentation trumps pattern, given that we are talking about 20-26 size flies. But maybe I am off base with the pattern right off the bat.

What are some rules of thumb to help out a with the midge game? Go to patterns?

 

[TimMurphy]

I was on the Letort the other night (but this applies to almost any body of water) and an occasional rise was happening. Nothing apparent in the air for a hatch, so assuming they were after midges. Tied on a 26 Griffith gnat but no interest. Was really tough to get a good drift with the cress beds popping up through the water surface and grabbing line and leader.

I am probably the world’s worst midge fisherman and have caught far fewer trout on midges than any other fly. I am guessing that presentation trumps pattern, given that we are talking about 20-26 size flies. But maybe I am off base with the pattern right off the bat.

What are some rules of thumb to help out a with the midge game? Go to patterns?

Dear Letort,

Fish more when the crick is higher and muddy!

Seriously though, I've tied and caught fish on midges down to size 28, but I haven't bothered with that for years. I did it because I could, but at my age it would take me a month to tie on a size 28 fly.

Hopefully you get a better more serious answer and please don't think I was mocking you or making fun of you.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

 

[dryflyguy]

During the warmer months of the season, try a terrestrial in smaller sizes - 18 and 20
I’ve caught lots of midging fish on a #20 Crowe beetle
And if it gets a take, it’s well worth not having to play the midge game