Rusty Nail Chironomid, ...One of my "Go To" Chironomids

John Kent's Rusty Nail is one of my "Go To" chironomids. The reason is simple. I often encounter chironomids similar to the throat sample below. In Central Alberta, these chironomids often show up early in the season and the trout will key in on them for a long period of time.

John has a unique way to tie in the body and micro tubing that is the rib. Because the Mirage Opal tinsel is slippery, John wraps the rib material first and then wraps the mirage tinsel in after. We usually wrap the body, then the rib. I also like the effect that it gives. I have added a step by step below. My favourite size? ...size 14 although Karen loves to tie on a size 12.

Rusty Nail (John Kent)

Hook: Daiichi 1760 sizes 12-16

Bead: White or Black Nickel (add gills)

Thread: UTC Wine 70 Denier

Body: Mirage Opal Tinsel (medium)

Rib: Micro Tubing,  Mahogany

 

Tying Blended Thread Chironomids

Yellow Olive, Red Butt Chironomid

Hook: Daiichi 1760 Sizes 12-16

Bead: 3/32nd black nickel

Gills: Uni-Stretch or Uni-Floss

Rib: Silver wire, small or ASB (anti static bag)

Body: Red and yellow-olive thread

Collar: Rusty brown thread

What an amazing turn out for our first tying session of 2025. Twenty-five fly tyers came out to work on their blended thread chironomid skills. We focussed on 4  chironomids. Everyone was doing a great job flattening their threads by turning their bobbins counter clockwise (right handers) and clockwise (left handers). The overlapping effect of two threads "bleeding" through each other makes for excellent chironomids. I am not sure the fish are THAT particular but aesthetically, these chironomids look great and are definitely fish catchers. We also used ASB (antistatic bag) as a rib that gives a very "gas like" effect to the chironomid imposters.

Next week Garnet Clews is our guest presenter. Be sure to have some 6/0 black thread (UTC 140) and a dubbing twister.

Red Butt, Black and Silver Chironomid

Hook: Daiichi 1760 Sizes 12-16

Bead: 3/32nd black nickel or white

Gills: Uni-Stretch or Uni-Floss

Rib: Silver wire, small

Body: Red and black thread

Red Butt, ASB Black Chironomid

Hook: Daiichi 1760 Sizes 12-16

Bead: 3/32nd black nickel or white

Gills: Uni-Stretch or Uni-Floss

Rib: Silver wire, small

Body: Red and yellow-olive thread

Collar: Rusty brown thread

Anti Static Bag Precut

Major Chironomid Hatch at Dickson Trout Pond

Throat Samples

 

Details about Fly Tying Monday on January 6th at 6:30 pm.

Happy New Year Everyone. It is 2025 and our first tying session will focus on blended thread chironomids. This is a great opportunity to brush up on your chironomid techniques Take a look at the threads below. If you have these threads and uni-stretch, please bring them along! We will also be working with ASB (antistatic bag material). See you Monday January 6th at 7 pm at Reliance Oilfield Services Learning Centre.

Bring red 8/0 thread and an extra bobbin if you have it!