Eric's Midge (Hi-Vis) Fly

Overview

Eric Pettine came up with the Eric's Midge on New Mexico's San Juan River around 1976, while looking for a better dry midge. It uses a closed-cell foam body for flotation and an abbreviated tail that balances the fly on the surface.

A bright indicator on top lets you see a size 20 or 22 fly on the water, which is the hardest part of fishing midges. Midges hatch all year on tailwaters and spring creeks, and in winter they are often the only thing trout are rising to. This fly gives you a midge that floats well and that you can track.

How to Fish It

• Rising fish: cast a few feet above a riser and let it drift drag-free on 6X or 7X tippet.
• Two-fly rig: use it as the visible lead fly with a smaller midge or emerger trailed 12 to 18 inches behind.
• Winter afternoons: look for midge clusters and rising fish in slow back eddies and flat tailouts.
• Small dropper: Pettine notes the same pattern tied smaller can be fished as a dropper.

Choosing Color and Size

Size 20 is easier to see and matches larger midges and small clusters. Size 22 is for smaller midges and pressured fish on flat water.