Midge / EmergersMassacre Midge
The Massacre Midge is a simple yet effective midge emerger pattern that combines a thread body with silver wire ribbing, a brown SLF dubbed thorax, and a small tan foam post for visibility. This sparse design rides low in the surface film, presenting a convincing midge emerger profile to selective trout. The foam post provides just enough buoyancy to keep the fly in the feeding zone while remaining visible to the angler.
Year Round
Beginner
Trout
Dec 2025
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box demonstrates the effectiveness of simple, sparse midge patterns that don't try to overcomplicate the imitation. The Massacre Midge uses minimal materials to create a pattern that suggests the overall form of an emerging midge without excessive bulk that might alarm educated fish. The thread body creates a slim abdomen that mimics the natural's segmented appearance, while the silver wire ribbing adds subtle segmentation and flash. The SLF dubbing thorax provides a slightly buggy texture that breaks up the fly's silhouette, and the small foam post keeps the fly fishing properly in the film while providing a visible strike indicator.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2488, #18-24
Thread: Magpie 72D, black
Rib: Wire (UTC), silver small
Thorax: SLF Dubbing (Whitlock's), brown
Post: Thin Fly Foam 2mm, tan
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Midge emergers hang suspended in the surface film as they extract wings and legs from pupal cases, their struggle creating vulnerable feeding windows. The density of emerging midges overwhelms trout selectivity, allowing focused feeding on specific film presentations.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish sip emergers suspended in the surface film, focusing on eddies, tail-outs, and slow pools where midge density peaks. Calm water allows confident inspection of tiny suspended insects.
How to Fish It: Dead drift in the surface film keeps the foam post visible while the thorax hangs at proper depth. Apply floatant only to the post for correct film penetration.
Best Water: Prioritize tail-outs with gentle currents for suspended feeding, eddies that trap emerging midges, and slicks where film presentations are most visible.
Strike Type: Barely perceptible sips or subtle film disturbances require focused attention and delicate hook sets.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on a 9-12 foot leader tapering to 6X-7X tippet for delicate presentations. Can be fished solo or as a dropper behind a more visible dry fly pattern.
Seasonal Timing: Effective year-round as midges are present in most waters throughout the year. Particularly productive during late, and early when midge activity peaks and trout focus heavily on these small insects.
Pro Tips: The tan foam post provides adequate visibility for the angler while the low-riding design keeps the fly in the surface film where it should be. Apply floatant sparingly to the post only, keeping the thorax and body in the film.
Entomology
Midge emergers struggle in the surface film as they work to extract their delicate legs and wings from the confining pupal case. The sheer density of emerging midges and their inability to escape quickly makes them an easy, abundant food source during transitional periods.
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Chironomidae
- Common Name
- Midge
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- emerger