TYING ZEBRA MIDGE

Ted Welling is the inventor of the Zebra Midge pattern. Ted was working both in a fly fishing tackle shop and as a guide and came up with the idea of how to tie a simple thread fly. The fly was named Silver Bullet but later got the name we know today. Now we are going to tie the Black Zebra Midge.

• Materials
• Video Instructions
• Slideshow
• How to Fish the Zebra Midge

Materials for Zebra Midge

Part:	Materials:	Size/Color:
Hook:	Demmon	900BL #12
Bead:	Brass Bead	Silver 2 mm
Thread:	Veevus	Black 14/0
Rib:	UNI Wire	Silver SM

Video Instructions on How to Tie a Zebra Midge

Video coming soon.

Slideshow on How To Tie a Zebra Midge

Step 1 – Build Up the Body and Rib the Fly

Sources say that Ted tied this fly even simpler than it is usually tied today. Ted supposedly used a straight shank hook, small silver wire, and only two layers of thread base for the body. If this is true, then the tapered body and the silver bead head are new additions to the chironomid fly pattern.

Begin by putting the silver bead onto the hook. Tie in your tying thread close to the bead and make a few wraps to secure the thread. Tie in one length of silver wire close to the bead and make even thread wraps down the bend of the hook.

Make even thread wraps towards the bead. When your thread is close to the bead, make another layer of thread covering 4/5 of the hook shank. Move your thread back to the bead before you go back again, covering 3/5 of the hook shank. Continue this operation until you have tapered the body.

Make a few wraps with the silver wire and tie it off close to the bead. Helicopter the wire to break it off. Make a whip finish or a few half-hitches to secure your tying thread. Complete the fly with one or two layers of varnish covering the complete body.

How to Fish the Zebra Midge

You can fish the Zebra Midge on its own or use it in a rig combined with other buzzer fly patterns. This fly is lightly weighted, and it will sink faster than most chironomids and buzzers, making it an excellent option for the bottom fly. You should also try tying the fly in other colors.