Disco Midge

Flashy midge larva/emerger; deadly in tailwaters in winter.

Printed on the 10 of spades

The Disco Midge is a midge pattern that abandons subtlety. The body is pearl or colored tinsel over a bare hook, so it catches and throws light from every angle, and at #20 that flash is often the only reason a trout notices it at all.

That makes it a specialist for particular conditions: cold water, low light, slightly stained flows, and deep runs where visibility is the limiting factor rather than selectivity. In gin-clear flat water it can be too much, and a plain Zebra Midge will usually outfish it.

It is a winter tailwater fly above all. When fish are stacked deep and barely moving, a small bright object drifting past at the right depth gets eaten by fish that will not move six inches for anything drab.

What does a Disco Midge imitate?

Midge larvae and pupae, with deliberate flash.

How do you fish a Disco Midge?

Dead drift deep on a long leader under an indicator, as the trailing fly behind something heavier. Get it right down to the fish.

When should you fish a Disco Midge?

Winter and early spring on tailwaters, and any time water is off-color and fish need help finding the fly.

What are the quick tips for fishing it?

• Best in the first drifts through a run, before fish have seen it repeatedly.
• Pearl and red are the two to carry.
• If the water is very clear and flat, switch to a plainer midge.

How is a Disco Midge tied?

• Hook: standard nymph or scud, #18-#24
• Bead: silver or black tungsten, optional
• Body: pearl or colored Mylar tinsel
• Rib: fine wire
• Thorax: dark dubbing

Dressings vary by tier and region. Treat this as the common recipe, not the only one.