Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 9
Tying the
Zebra Midge
by Carl Haensel
photos by the author
Fishing open water for trout in the middle of winter can be
a challenging experience. But, cold hands and small leaks in
your waders are a faint memory when you hook up with a big
trout in January. While I have considered staying inside, the
high-quality fishing is what keeps bringing me back. Although
most anglers won't admit to lightning fast fishing in the winter,
the action can be downright awesome if you find fish and
figure out what they are eating. In the middle of the winter,
the most likely answer on any given day is midges. The Zebra
Midge is an effective, standard midge pattern that all winter
anglers should have in their fly box.
The Zebra Midge imitates a drifting midge pupa in the
current. Its small beadhead gives it a good sink rate. The
coloration, shape and size imitate a tiny midge pupa or larva well.
Tying the fly is simple. In addition to the materials listed below,
tiers should try a variety of thread colors including red, pink and
orange. Different colored beads can also work well, and they can
add more or less weight depending on the type. Glass beads work
particularly well for midge flies such as this one.
Zebra Midge materials
Hook: Scud hook such as a TMC 2487, sizes 16 to 22
Thread: Black flat waxed
Bead: Silver, sized to fit
Body: Black thread
Rib: Small silver wire
1 Add the bead to your hook, making sure the small opening is
toward the eye of the hook. Place it in the vise, and attach the
thread to the center of the hook.
2 Secure the silver wire facing to the back of the hook with
multiple wraps of thread.
3 Build up a thread body that tapers and grows larger toward
the bead on the hook. It should be nearly as wide in diameter
as the bead.
4 Wrap the silver wire toward the bead in even segments.
5 Tie off the silver wire, add a few wraps at the base of the bead,
and finish the fly. Add head cement or glue behind the bead
to make it more durable.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2014
9
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014
Straight Talk
Notes from the Stream
Contents
Northeast Best Ice Perch Lakes
Tying the Zebra Midge
Your Fishing Field Guide
“Iced” Fish: a Great Winter Release
Midwinter is Sunfish Time
Drilling Your Way to Success: Strategies for Ice Fishing
Simple Ice Fishing Equipment Modifications
Presque Isle Ice
5 Hot Tips for Icy Trout
Ice Safety Thickness Chart
What Lurks Beneath
Bluegills on Ice
Fishing with the Next Generation— Nurturing Your Future Angler from the Cradle to Canoe
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Fisheries Biologists: Who are they and what do they do?
Angle Jigging for River Walleyes
Choosing the Right Minnow Rig
Different Boats for Different Folks
Highlights from the 2014 Boating Regulations Recap
Winter PLAY Newsletter
Southern Redbelly Dace
Reflecting on the Water
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania’s Best Fishing Waters Wild Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Northeast Best Ice Perch Lakes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Tying the Zebra Midge
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - “Iced” Fish: a Great Winter Release
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Midwinter is Sunfish Time
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Drilling Your Way to Success: Strategies for Ice Fishing
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Simple Ice Fishing Equipment Modifications
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Presque Isle Ice
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 5 Hot Tips for Icy Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Ice Safety Thickness Chart
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - What Lurks Beneath
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Bluegills on Ice
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Fishing with the Next Generation— Nurturing Your Future Angler from the Cradle to Canoe
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Fisheries Biologists: Who are they and what do they do?
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Angle Jigging for River Walleyes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Choosing the Right Minnow Rig
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Different Boats for Different Folks
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Highlights from the 2014 Boating Regulations Recap
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Winter PLAY Newsletter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Southern Redbelly Dace
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Cast & Caught
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Pennsylvania’s Best Fishing Waters Wild Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - Cover4
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