Overview

Umpqua calls the Titan Tube Midge the giant of the Tube Midge family, a larger version built to imitate chironomids for big, cruising trout. It is tied on a Tiemco 2302 hook and fishes in both lakes and rivers.

The body is two colors of fine wire slipped inside clear micro tubing, which gives a slim, segmented, glassy look like a real pupa's case. Three wraps of the two wires at the bend lock the tubing in place, a single wrap of tinsel adds a flash of light, and a white ostrich herl thorax breathes in the water like the gills on a natural. That white at the head is ostrich, not a bead, so the fly sinks slowly and hangs naturally.

How to Fish It

• Stillwater indicator: suspend it just off the bottom under an indicator and let wind and waves give it subtle movement.
• Slow retrieve: on an intermediate line, use a slow hand-twist retrieve over weed beds and drop-offs.
• Tailwaters: trail it behind a heavier nymph or below split shot on 6X tippet.
• When: chironomid hatches in spring and early summer on lakes, and year-round on tailwaters.

Choosing Color and Size

Black / Silver is a natural, all-around chironomid color. Black Red adds the red tone of bloodworm-stage chironomids and is a strong choice in deeper water.

Use 12 for the big lake chironomids, 14 as the all-around size, and 16 for smaller midges and river fishing.