Author: Brady Laehr

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How to Tie a Tube Midge Fly: Video

Not very often is fly tying easy, but this pattern sure does make it so. With a simple pattern like the Tube Midge, you can whip out a dozen flies in various colors and be ready to fool picky trout.

This is a great pattern through the winter when tied in the smallest of sizes. Get it deep into a hole with some weight or fish it in a tandem rig to help it reach the bottom.

Make sure to watch your indicator carefully while fishing this fly. Although it is very effective the takes during the colder months on such a small pattern can be very subtle.

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How to Tie a Foam Back Midge: Video

We have been hearing a lot about this fly over the last few months at the AvidMax store. The name varies but the fly is very productive in the different variations we have seen. The creator of this fly is a little bit of a mystery to us still so if you know who came up with this gem please let us know!

I like to fish my emerger patterns in a “drop shot” (if you are familiar with conventional style fishing) style rig. Use a larger weighted jig fly as the point fly with this 6-10″ above and you will see great success. If you prefer to have the smaller fly on the point of your rig no problem. Add some weight to get it down and you are good to go. Learn More “How to Tie a Foam Back Midge: Video”

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How to Tie a Prince Nymph Fly: Video

Ever heard of the Prince Nymph? If not you better get some of these in your box! Developed by Doug Prince it is a long time trout favorite. It is simple, but very effective. You can tie it with or without a bead, weighted or unweighted and with a variety of hackles and sizes. Fish the Prince as a lead fly in a tandem rig with a smaller point fly or as a dropper below a large hopper or dry fly. Learn More “How to Tie a Prince Nymph Fly: Video”

Fly Tying

How to Tie: The Disco Midge Fly

The Disco Midge, aptly named for its bright and flashy color is a great attractor midge pattern.

This is a great fly to have in your box for many different occasions. Keep sizes 20 – 24 for those tough winter days on tailwaters. Or don’t be afraid to also have some larger variations ready to go for those stillwater days.

I like to fish my river rigs with this fly on a point close to the bottom with a larger dropper fly as my weight. It has a great ability to move picky trout! Learn More “How to Tie: The Disco Midge Fly”

Fly Tying

How To Tie: Parachute Adams Fly

Why the Parachute Adams is Essential for Rising Fish

Is the hatch full of small mayflies or midges? Reach for a Parachute Adams!

The Parachute Adams fly pattern is a versatile and reliable choice, primarily imitating mayflies but also highly effective for midges. Its bright parachute post makes it easy for anglers to see, while fish find it irresistible.

Key Features:

  • Versatility: Perfect for imitating both mayflies and midges.
  • High Visibility: Equipped with a white or bright parachute post for easy spotting.
  • Effective in Various Waters: Fish it solo for gentle risers on still water or rivers, or use it as a sighter with a larger dry fly in a two-fly rig.

Whether you’re fishing calm waters or rivers, the Parachute Adams should be a staple in your fly box. Its adaptability and visibility make it a go-to fly for any angler.

Now let’s see what you can do. #avidmaxflytyers

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How to Tie a Zebra Midge Christmas Colors

If you are just getting into fly tying and trying to figure out what fly to tie first, the Zebra Midge is a perfect pattern. It’s very simple and straightforward– The Zebra Midge is also  only comprised of a few materials: bead, thread, and wire.

This is a great fly in the winter months when trout are fickle and only taking small bugs. Tying sizes 22-24? That will be no problem! You can make a bundle of these in many colors with ease.

On the other side of things, try tying this in larger elongated versions for your Stillwater Chironomid needs. Add a little white thorax or head for some gills, then throw it on a midge tip line and you are ready to slay.

Now let’s see what you can do. #avidmaxflytyers Learn More “How to Tie a Zebra Midge Christmas Colors”

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How to Tie the Copper John Fly: Video

The Copper John. Do I need to say more? Created by the infamous John Barr, just about anyone who has fly fished has heard of or thrown this fly. It is a go-to attractor pattern year round. It will imitate a wide range of bugs from mayflies, stoneflies, and even caddis or midges. Fish it smaller in the colder months and larger in the summer. Most commonly the copper john is tied using copper or red wire but there are many color variations out there. If you want to get the skunk off get the copper john tied on! Learn More “How to Tie the Copper John Fly: Video”

Autumn Splendor, Tie, Fly Tie
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How to Tie the Autumn Splendor Fly: Video

If it’s streamer season you better think about throwing this fly! It was created by Tim Heng who was a long time Colorado fly fishing guide and tyer. The Autumn Splendor is a beefed up wooly bugger with action that can’t be beat. The Marabou tail along with some flash and movement provided by the rubber legs is a great fly to pull large fish out of deep holes or any other location. You can fish it as a stand-alone streamer or on both ends of a tandem streamer rig. Whether you like it chasing a smaller wooly bugger or in front of a larger articulated fly it will bring great success! Learn More “How to Tie the Autumn Splendor Fly: Video”

Fly Tying

How To Tie: The WD-40 Fly

The Versatile WD-40 Fly Pattern: A Must-Have for Fly Fishing

The WD-40 fly pattern is a highly effective midge emerger initially designed to imitate a wide range of small aquatic insects. Available in various colors such as olive, brown, and black, the WD-40 excels in mimicking natural food sources for fish.

Key Features:

  • Midge Emerger: Originally created for midges, it also effectively imitates Trico’s, BWO’s, and other small mayflies.
  • Versatile Colors: Commonly tied in olive, brown, and black to match different aquatic environments.
  • Effective Techniques: Fish it in a dry dropper system or as a point fly with a larger lead fly in a nymph rig.

Whether targeting fish feeding on Tricos, BWOs, or midges, the WD-40 fly pattern should be a staple in your fly box. Its versatility and natural imitation make it a go-to choice for fly fishing enthusiasts.

Now let’s see what you can do. #avidmaxflytyers

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Manhattan Midge, Fly Tying, Fly Tie, Fly Tying Tuesday, Fly Fishing,
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How to Tie a Manhattan Midge Fly: Video

Developed by Forest Dorsey, son of the famous fly tier, author and guide Pat Dorsey this is a go-to midge emerger for all tailwaters. I was recently fishing this pattern on clear creek outside of Idaho Springs in Colorado and it put some of the bigger fish in that river in my net. Fish it as a dropper below a Parachute Adams or in a tandem fly rig with weight or a heavy lead fly.

Now let’s see what you can do. #avidmaxflytyers

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