Midges: (the family Chironomidae) The smallest of them all! #18 - holy crap can’t see that! Lake anglers call these Chironomids and river guys call them Midges but they all fall in the same family. Lake ones are typically larger. These are extremely important as the water cools as it is the last hatch of the season and will continue on warm winter days. Quite often the fish are not eating individual bugs but are eating a mating cluster of several individuals.
From the website www.west-fly-fishing.com “Adult midges form mating swarms, and midges locked in amorous embrace often fall back to the water. Trout are not romantics and will eat these mating clusters…” This website is a massive wealth of information and pictures on all types of bugs and other fish food. Use it to help you become a better fly fisher.
Dries: Griffiths Gnat, Palomino Midge, Stillborn Midge, Klinkhammer Grizzly, Hi-Vis Parachute Midge, Parachute Adams.
Nymphs: Brassie, Tungsten BH Brassie, Red Devil, Zebra Midge, Red Copper John, Tungsten Zebra Midge, Rainy’s Mark-O-Midge