Craig Mathews should require no introduction. He has been a fixture in the fly-fishing world since 1982, from his base at Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana. His incredible patterns—such as the Sparkle Dun, the X-Caddis, and the Iris Caddis—are revered for their effectiveness, especially on his home river, the Madison.
In this video, by Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, Matt Grobert, an author and blogger, shows how ridiculously easy it is to tie Mathew’s Zelon Midge. With just three materials, you can create a very buggy-looking pattern that catches trout wherever midges hatch (which is almost everywhere, of course).
Mathews’s Zelon Midge
Hook: Emerger hook (e.g.Daiichi #125), sizes 18-24.
Thread: Olive, 6/0 or 140-denier.
Shuck: Midge Gray Straight Zelon.
Wing: Midge Gray Straight Zelon.
Thorax: Black Australian possum.
Head: Tan tying thread, 12/0.
Note: Try with different color thread to match the naturals in
your waters.
Just an FYI – Craig Mathew’s ties this pattern using his zelon dubbing for the thorax – a mix of rabbit and zelon. He also uses a whole strand of zelon for the wings and shuck. I prefer a sparser fly, thus I split the strand of zelon as shown. Either way, the fly works great. Tie some up!
Here in Boise Idaho, Gona tie up a few of Mathews zelon midge patters and go fish them on the Boise river. lots of midge activity with this early spring were having here. will let you know how it worked out here. till then tight lines…………