In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Piscator Flies gives us a tutorial on how to tie a winter season killer created by Tyler Boroff, the Hottie Midge.
Difficulty: Easy
As winter and the colder months approach, midges take a large quantity of a trouts diet. Becoming lethargic with declining temperatures, trout often will find deeper water where they can use as little energy as possible. Smaller food items, such as midges, become their main source of food as they are easily accessible and plentiful. The Hottie Midge is a fly that will serve as an attractor style midge and may just turn on those lethargic trout.
Another simple and easy fly added to the How to Tie series, the Hottie Midge is one that fly tyers of all skill levels can perfect. Tying on small hooks may be difficult at first but using 8/0 (70 denier) thread will ensure you do not crowd the hook eye. Adding a hot spot to this fly can make slow days turn into productive ones, but it always pays off to carry various midge patterns regardless. For beginners, this fly does not have to be perfect, but crowding the hook eye will make for an unfishable fly, so always keep that in mind while tying this small pattern.
Trout will feed on midges year-round as they are extremely resilient to water conditions and quality. This offers anglers a productive way to fish when others may stay inside and spend their time on the vise, which is a great alternative to those frigid days. The Hottie Midge is another tool in your box that may just be the ticket for connecting with those lethargic winter trout.
Ingredients:
- Hook: Firehole 316 #16-22
- Body: 8/0 (70d) wood duck
- Ribbing: Copper wire fine
- Thorax: 8/0 (70d) fl. orange or pink
- Head: 8/0 (70d) wood duck
- Coating: Bone Dry UV resin
Now you know how to tie the Hottie Midge.
Video and ingredients courtesy of Piscator Flies.
