Chironomid Tying

[skyriver]

Ive -
Last year I kicked my float tube out of deep indicator water I usually fish with good results. That particular day I couldn't put together any consistency on a lake I know very well. Once up onto the shoal, I clipped off the fly, pulled the Seegercator™ off, then tied on a small midge.

View attachment 140044
Watery Olive thead body, holographic tinsel rib - no bead, thread head.

I had to pay attention (that's what we are supposed to do), but how much fun this rig was to cast without the indicator on a long leader. In early spring, right after the opener, this shoal can be fished with a bead head but as fall approaches with all the aquatic plants, the unweighted fly is superior (at least for me).

With the mild winter we just had I should have been doing this more this last weekend on the not secret lake. That fly, with a bead, at 6.5' was my most productive on Sunday when it was much slower than Saturday. I should've been up on the flats casting the un-beaded one.

Some of my favorite fishing has been on Bobby and Merry back in the day. Wading the shoals, casting out nearly the exact fly here or a plain black midge #18 or 20 and then hand-twist to the top, let it fall back down, hand-twist to the top, etc. Savage takes and often times fooled the biggest fish on the shoal. I often wonder why I don't do it anymore.

Great thread!

 

[SurfnFish]

This.

Some times, if it's real clear water or calm, I can see the fish but feel like the bobber splat is spooking them. A nekkid chronny is fun to sightfish with. Watch the fish and try to guess if he ate the fly...it can be difficult.

a channel I fish 'naked' in the fall when the fish are pretty much just hanging in clear water, I'll cast short and if I see a fish move in the direction of my unweighted presentation and then a flash of white as it opens it's mouth, I'll gently lift the rod tip, which occasionally hooks a fish.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I always have two flies under the indicator…..with the weighted one on the bottom. Either two chironomids or a micro leech on the bottom. I’ve had some tangles with the weighted fly above….but I get tangles anyway! Casting two flies, indicator and a swivel with short bamboo rods is just a tangle waiting to happen……nothing to do with beer & Crown!

 

[Wade Rivers]

a channel I fish 'naked' in the fall

No wonder I hear screams from the paddle boarders!

 

[StillwaterAddict]

I’m asking some questions here, instead of on the tying section, because you are the chironomid experts.
What is the best size of wire to use for size 14 and 12 chironomids? I’m in need of new materials. Is there a source to by an assortment kit? How about the hobby stores? I’m getting more enthusiastic about chironomids after some little success with naked line technique.
Best of all, Dan.

Small to ex small works great. My preference is micro tubing instead of wire, give it a try.