Foam Wing Midges, Caddis and Mayflies

[Light Cahill]

I've been experimenting with using foam instead of rooster hackle to create smaller dry flies, such as BWOs and Midges in sizes 22-26.

Here's my recipe, let me know what you think:

1) Hook: #22-26 Dry Fly Hook.
2) Body: Cream or Olive Dubbing.
3) Segments: Ultra Fine Gold or Silver Wire.
4) Wing: 3x3x8mm Strip of White Foam tied in just behind the head of the fly, at an angle of 30-40 degrees to the hook shank.
5) Thread: Black.
6) Tail: Three to four duck flank fibers.

Notes: looks like a CDC midge, but the small strip of foam allows it float in the suface film, imitating nymphs moments before they break through the surface film. The body will be immersed while the wing floats...

[cheech]

that sounds like a heck of a fly. I think I will give it a whirl on the green.

[HookInMouth]

Yes, this is a killer fly. I came up with the same pattern last year, just by substituting foam for CDC on a CDC midge. I have had great results during late winter and early spring when midges are about all that are available for surface flies. My only complaint is that the foam wing is not very durable and seems to break off after a half dozen hits. I also tried them on the Green with rather poor results. Not sure why. Maybe the foam is spooking the more fly conscious fish. My next trip to the Green I am going to try a few true CDC midges and see if they work better.

[Don]

Mike- remember your George Burger fly???

Wasn't that fly tied to imitate midges in the film, and if I remember right you tied that with the white foam that protects things while there being shipped?
(you told me about it at Western Rivers when we were listening to Mike Lawson speak)
Have you used it since that Green River trip?

[Light Cahill]

I think the wings will break off easier if you tie the thread wraps too tightly around it. I've noticed that there are several ways you can make the wings stronger:

MAYFLY DOUBLE WINGS

I tried making figure-of-eight wraps over a single 2mm x 2mm x 6mm piece to create two semi-upright wings, the wings were much stronger than a single strand.

SINGLE WING (CADDIS, MIDGE ETC.)

If you choose a single wing, use a needle to insert a piece of 2lb nylon leader in the center of the foam lengthways. It will reinforce the foam and prevent it tearing easily. Make sure its trimmed