January Fly O' the Month -Chironomids

[johnk]

Mirage you say? doh! I may have picked up the wrong stuff :0 guess it's back to the fly shop for me tomorrow, oh darn . Thanks Johnk!

Say hi to Ron for me!

[nebc]

still have not got the macro mode figured so these pics are not the best

Tried tying a version using liquid lace on tmc hooks in sizes 12 to 20. Those wee ones are a blast...but are hard on old eyes to tie. Sure hope the fish love them.



Hooks TMC 12, 14 and 20 I believe model 2457
red midge size liquid lace filled with mineral oil. on the size 12 the hook was colored black along the upper bit of the shank before running the liquid lace down and back up. Size 12 has a bead which is black on the top and bottom with white on either side with peacock herl thorax and partridge legs. The size 14 has a black bead and only herl throax to also represent the legs, while the size 20 is a head made of thread wraps with a roughed up bit of thread on the bottom of the head to imply legs/breathers or whatever.

Most of the chironomids that I tie are basically copies of what works for others who have indicated significant success on theirs, and these are also simplified versions of what i found to work for me last summer on local lakes in the Peace Region that were based on the Ultimate Chironomid tied by several flytyers in the Kamloops area. I also tied versions that have fine silver wire running up the shank over the top of the liquid lace in the area between wraps, to improve and accent the segmentation and the appearance of gas accumulations prior to its rise in the water column.

[Lucky]

Here's one of the patterns I've been tying lately.



The body is pink pearl saltwater flashabou over top green holo tinsel with black flashabou rib.

[Sunpeaksfish]

Say hi to Ron for me!

I sure will John, I've been in Vernon lately but next time I'm there I'll say hi for ya!

[johnk]

Here's one of the patterns I've been tying lately.



The body is pink pearl saltwater flashabou over top green holo tinsel with black flashabou rib.

Nice tie Lucky. No gills? What gives?

[Lucky]

I'm still learning John! You have probably tied more chironomids in the last week than I have in my lifetime, I might have 50? in my box now.

When I first started tying them some had gills and some did not, after catching fish on the ones without gills I just got lazy and left them out of the recent ones.

[nebc]

stillwaters 1/8 inch Black bead part #BB1/8BLKZ
Antron gills
Silver Holographic Mylar underbody
Red Translucent medium size Liquid Lace for the body
Dai-Riki #135 Scud/Pupa hook 1x strong/1x short size 10
Red Danville Flymaster Plus thread

[johnk]

I'm still learning John! You have probably tied more chironomids in the last week than I have in my lifetime, I might have 50? in my box now.

When I first started tying them some had gills and some did not, after catching fish on the ones without gills I just got lazy and left them out of the recent ones.

No worries. Just riding you like a rented mule!

Here is my take on omitting gills. All the variables we, as chironomid fishers, have to consider when the fish aren't biting, by tying in gills, that is one small variable that can be crossed off the list. With that said, you are right, at times the gills don't matter a bit to the fish.......at times. If you've ever observed a really prolific hatch and looked over the side of the boat and watched a natural nearing the surface, sometimes the gills are so stark white and prominent that you are sure that's what the fish are keying on.

[johnk]

I do have an entry for this fly o'month but you'll have to go to The Blogs to see it.......in a step-by-step photo journey.
http://www.flyfishbc.com/forums/blog.php

[Mr T(rout bum)]

Here's mine, just a little green fellow... take it easy on me, I'm a noob.