Welcome back to Tying Tuesday, fly junkies!
This week, our guy Tyler is in the studio, working his magic on a sizzling, super sexy, and highly requested fly straight from the YouTube streets—the H0lo Midge! This little gem has been absolutely wrecking fish on the tailwaters, especially in those tiny, ninja-sized versions. But let’s be real—I’m tying mine big enough to actually see (hello, size 18!). The Holo Midge is a killer attractor pattern that’s also perfect for dialing in the tying fundamentals—segmentation, proportions, and those delicate little wing puffs. If you’re a pro at all that, congrats, you’re better than me. But Tyler? The dude’s got it dialed. He makes this fly look as flashy, fishy, and straight-up buggy as it gets!
Tie it. Fish it. Love it.
Let’s go! 🎣💥
Recipe:
• Hook: Tiemco 2488, Size 16
• Thread: UTC Ultra Thread 70D, Black
• Bead: 5/64 Black Tungsten
• Body Rib: Semperfli Bright Silver Wire 2mm
• Body Body: Mirage Flash, Opal
• Wing Material: Antron Yarn, Fluoresant White
***Please note, some materials sell out quickly on Tuesdays after a video drops – you can always call Customer Service if you have a question about an alternate material option (720-836-3619)***
Looking for some serious Tips and Tricks? Check these out:
Absolutely! As we move into spring, attractor fly patterns become a great choice for targeting active trout as they shake off winter sluggishness. Here are some tips and tricks for fishing with attractor flies during spring:
1. Understand the Role of Attractors
Unlike hatch-matching patterns, attractor flies are designed to grab attention rather than imitate a specific insect. They often feature bright colors, flashy materials, or exaggerated features to provoke reaction strikes.
2. Best Attractor Patterns for Spring
- Dry Flies:
- Royal Wulff – A classic high-floating fly with red and peacock body, perfect for pocket water.
- Stimulator – Imitates large stoneflies, caddis, or even hoppers early in the season.
- Humpy – A buoyant fly that’s great for rough water and active trout.
- Nymphs & Wet Flies:
- Prince Nymph – The white wings and peacock body make this a must-have attractor nymph.
- Rainbow Warrior – Perfect for stained or high water with its flashy red and pearl body.
- Frenchie – A high-confidence attractor with a bright hotspot that triggers aggressive takes.
- Streamers & Buggers:
- Woolly Bugger (Olive/Black) – A killer pattern for hungry post-winter trout.
- Mini Dungeon or Sex Dungeon – Great for early spring when big fish are looking for a meal.
3. Adjust for Spring Water Conditions
Springtime means higher flows, colder water, and varying clarity due to runoff. Adjust accordingly:
✅ Use heavier nymphs or add split shot to get down in faster currents.
✅ Consider a dropper rig—pair an attractor dry with a small nymph to cover both surface and subsurface.
✅ Fish the edges—as water levels rise, trout push to softer seams and back eddies to feed without expending too much energy.
4. Vary Your Retrieve and Presentation
- With nymphs, use a dead drift but give occasional twitches to suggest movement.
- With dry flies, let them drift naturally, but try a subtle twitch to imitate struggling insects.
- With streamers, experiment with fast strips, pauses, and erratic retrieves to trigger reaction strikes.
5. Time of Day Matters
- Mornings can be slow due to colder water, so focus on afternoon fishing when the sun warms up the river.
- Watch for hatches—early-season stoneflies, midges, and blue-winged olives (BWOs) bring trout to the surface.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Upsize Your Flies
Spring trout are often hungry after winter, so larger attractor patterns (size 10-14 for dries, 8-12 for nymphs, and 4-8 for streamers) can work well, especially in off-color water.
7. Experiment with Color
If standard colors aren’t producing, try brighter attractor patterns like chartreuse, red, purple, or flashier variations to see what gets the trout’s attention.
By leveraging attractor patterns effectively, you can take advantage of spring trout behavior and changing conditions for a successful day on the water! 🎣🌿 Let me know if you want specific rigging techniques or local recommendations.
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
