Buzzer Nymph - Midge Pupa

The Midge pupa pattern is a versatile little imitation. The properties of the materials that are used to tie this pattern, allow the imitation to be fished both deep in the current and close to the surface. The copper body allows the imitation to sink quickly in fast water, that is why this is one of my favourite patterns for fast water. When fishing this pattern I prefer to use some type of strike indicator that allows me to set the depth of my drift. Also I have used fly floatent on the dubbed area of the pattern to cause it to float near or on the surface of the water. This makes a excellent emerger pattern.

The typical shape of a midge pupa is similar to a upside down exclamation mark. A very thin lower body, with a large abdomen and gill filaments. These are all imitated by first the copper wire body then the dubbing for a thorax and the poly yarn to imitate the gill filaments.

Material List

Hook -   Tiemco 2478 size to match natural
Thread - Pre-waxed 6/0 or 8/0 colour of dubbing
Body -   Medium copper wire
Thorax - Poly yarn half back folded over a dubbed body

Tying Instructions

Place hook in vise and dab a small quantity of head cement on the shank and bend of the hook. This is to hold the copper wire in place and it gives a much more uniformed body, than if rapping over thread. Cut about three and half inches of copper wire, this is for a size 14 hook. Start rapping the copper wire along the bend and up the shank. Come within about 1/8" from the eye and tie off the wire. Then tie in the poly yarn and let hang. Start dubbing the thorax towards the eye of the hook and tie off, make sure not to crowd the eye. Now bring the poly yarn forward over the dubbed thorax and tie down with a couple of wraps. At this point you must pull the poly yarn back and wrap under it with the thread to make the yarn stand up. You can now tie the thread off and trim the poly yarn to length.. A little bit of head cement on the thread and you are ready to go fishing.

Clear waters
Mark Wood