Basic Thread Chironomids that Need a Spot in Your Fly Box

Simple thread body chironomids work fantastic. The six thread chironomids below are definitely trout catchers during chironomid season. A basic curved nymph hook or a 2xl nymph hook works great. Tie them from size 10-16, sometimes even size 18. The key with chironomids is figure out the depth the trout are feeding at! That takes some experimentation. Throat samples certainly help decide on the colour of the chironomids that the trout are keying in on!

Blue Dun Chironomid

Dragon Lake Special-John Kent originator

Albino

Black Sally

Copper and Olive

Hook: your favourite curved nymph hook sizes 12-18

Thread: Olive UTC 8/0

Bead: Copper-3/32nd

Body: Olive UTC 8/0

Rib: Copper, small

Gills: Unistretch

Black and Red Ice Cream Cone

Hook: Curved nymph hook or Daiichi 1760 (or equivalent)

Thread: Black UTC 8/0

Bead: White- 3/32nd

Rib: Holographic tinsel, red, small

 

Take a Look at this Chironomid-Rick will Tell you Why

...from Rick

 My introduction to the original pattern occurred one day at a local Stillwater where friends Eugene and Jacinda had invited me onto their boat for what turned out to be a great day of chironomid fishing. Although the colour didn’t match the hatch it definitely caught the attention of the fish. Approximately a month later during another hatch it perfectly duplicated the colour and sheen of the emerging pupae. I don’t recall the exact materials they used to create their pattern this is my variant. 

Jacinda's Orange Pupa (aka West Lake Pupa)  (A Variant from Rick Miyauchi)

Hook: Daiichi 1760 size #12-16 or your favourite scud hook 

Thread: Black or Brown

Bead: Orange metallic, Black Nickel or Chironomid Brown

Rib: UTC Hot Orange wire

Body: Copper Flashabou 

Thorax: UV Ice Dub, Callibaetis

Tying the "Rusty Nail" Chironomid-John Kent Originator

 

I absolutely love this chironomid. It is definitely a winner here in Central Alberta. I have posted this chironomid several times and it definitely needs a place in your chironomid box! Karen and I use size 14 and size 12 (daiichi 1760) a lot. It will not be very long until chironomids start happening!

Last night while watching/listening to the Oilers great come back win over LA in the Stanley Cup Play-Offs, I tied up several. 

Take a look right here for how I tie them. This is a previous blog post from January!

Bob Edens has the micro tubing and mirage opal tinsel (medium) in his shop. Just give him a call. It saves driving or ordering.