Welcome to Fly Tying Tuesday
A simple and highly effective midge emerger pattern that’s perfect for tailwaters and stillwaters alike
This week, join Kyle as he ties the Chocolate Foam Back — a simple and highly effective midge emerger pattern that’s perfect for tailwaters and stillwaters alike. The foam back keeps the fly riding just below the surface film, imitating those vulnerable midges struggling to emerge — a favorite target for selective trout. Whether fished as a dropper below a dry or drifted solo during a midge hatch, this pattern shines when trout are sipping in the film and refusing standard nymphs.
Let’s Tie, see Kyle in action in the video!
Materials Used: (all available at AvidMax)
- Tiemco TMC 2488 Hook OR Daiichi 1130 – Size 18–24
- Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread – Brown, 8/0
- UTC Ultra Wire – Copper, Small
- Wapsi Razor Fly Foam – White
- Wapsi SLF Kaufmann Dubbing – Brown Stone
Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
Start the Thread Base: Begin your brown waxed thread just behind the eye and lay a smooth thread base back to the bend.
Tie in the Wire: Secure a short length of copper Ultra Wire at the rear of the hook for ribbing.
Apply the Dubbing: Dub a thin, even body using Brown Stone SLF Dubbing, tapering slightly toward the head.
Add the Foam Back: Cut a narrow strip of white Razor Foam and tie it in at the bend, then pull it forward over the top of the body.
Wrap the Rib: Counter-wrap the copper wire over the foam and dubbing to segment and secure the body.
Finish the Fly: Build a small thread head, whip finish, and add a touch of head cement for durability.
How to Fish It
- Use thinner foam for smaller hook sizes (22–24) to keep the fly profile slim.
- Experiment with foam color — black, tan, or chocolate — to match local midges.
- Fish it as a dropper behind a dry or in tandem with a midge larva for best results.
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
