Midge / EmergersCopperhead Midge
The Copperhead Midge is a simple and effective fly pattern that draws trout in with its bright copper wire body and lifelike appearance. The copper wire adds a bit of weight, helping the fly sink to the feeding zone quickly.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Intermediate
Trout
Apr 2025
Overview
A simple winter tailwater staple built with a thread body (often black, wine, or olive), fine copper wire ribbing for segmentation, and a small copper bead. The slender profile mimics midge larvae and pupae perfectly, while the wire adds subtle flash and weight to reach feeding zones quickly. Simple to tie in volume, this pattern is effective year-round but especially productive in cold months when midges dominate trout diets on western tailwaters and spring creeks.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2487, size #16–#20, 2X short curved shank for midges
Thread: Black Veevus 14/0
Body: Bright Copper Wire
Rib: Copper Krystal Flash
Thorax: Amber Superfine Dubbing
Wing: Copper Krystal Flash
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Midge larvae exhibit sinuous, wriggling swimming motions when dislodged from bottom substrates, undulating through the water column before settling back to the benthos. This distinctive wiggling behavior occurs frequently in areas with shifting sediments or during increased flows that disturb their habitat, and trout recognize this animated movement pattern during drift-feeding in tailwater runs.
Where Trout Eat It: Trout feed near bottom in tailwater runs where midge larvae concentrate in slow current, intercepting drifting larvae at eye level.
How to Fish It: Fish subsurface 8 inches above streambed using right-angle nymphing with indicator, positioning split shot above fly.
Best Water: Most productive in tailwater slicks and eddy lines where midge pupae collect during heavy emergences.
Strike Type: Fished subsurface 8 inches above streambed using right-angle nymphing with indicator, strikes appear as subtle indicator pauses or sideways slides. Trout intercept drifting larvae at eye level near bottom with gentle takes in tailwater slicks and eddy lines.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Try fishing it on a light tippet under a strike indicator, or as part of a multiple-fly rig.
Seasonal Timing: This fly can be effective year-round, but is particularly useful during midge hatches in the and . Use this fly when trout are feeding on midges, which can happen at any time of year.
Pro Tips: The bright copper body of this fly makes it highly visible in the water, and its weight ensures that it sinks quickly to the feeding zone.
Entomology
Midge larvae exhibit sinuous, wriggling swimming motions when dislodged from bottom substrates, undulating through the water column before settling back to the benthos. This distinctive wiggling behavior occurs frequently in areas with shifting sediments or during increased flows that disturb their habitat. Trout recognize this animated movement pattern and intercept wriggling midge larvae during drift-feeding, as the motion signature differentiates live larvae from passive organic debris.
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Chironomidae
- Common Name
- Midge
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- general