Umpqua Iwane's No Mercy Midge Fly

Overview

The No Mercy Midge is Phil Iwane's midge emerger, a pattern he fished for years before Umpqua began tying it. It is built from a short list of materials: thread, silver wire, a tuft of CDC and a coat of UV resin.

The thin thread body and wire rib match the slim, segmented look of a midge pupa, and the resin coat gives it the shine of a natural insect's shell. The CDC at the head moves in the current and suggests the wing and gills of a midge working its way to the surface. Midges hatch on tailwaters every month of the year, so a black midge emerger like this one earns a permanent spot in a winter and spring fly box.

How to Fish It

• Deep in a nymph rig: fish it as the trailing fly behind a heavier nymph or with split shot, on 6X or 7X tippet.
• Near the surface: when fish are taking emergers just under the film, hang it 12 to 18 inches under a small dry or midge cluster.
• Tailwaters: work slow, clear runs and seams below dams, where midges are the main food much of the year.
• Watch the indicator: takes on midge patterns are subtle, so set on any hesitation.

Choosing Color and Size

Black matches the dark midges common on tailwaters and is easy for fish to see against a bright sky. Choose 18 for larger midges and stained water, and 20 for clear water and pressured fish.