In this step-by-step video Stanton Hector, “The Small Stream Guy” from The Mission Issue 41, ties the Mountain Midge fly, an excellent dry fly for trout. This pattern was inspired by the Single Feather Midge developed by Tom Sutcliffe. Initially, the pattern was conceived to imitate the black midges so common on Western Cape trout streams of South Africa. However, Stanton realised very quickly that the pattern imitates the black mayfly (Choroterpes nigrescens or Darkening Dun) extremely well. Nonetheless, the name of the fly stuck!

Stanton says, “These mayflies usually appear on Western Cape streams in large numbers during late season. Trout leap clear of the water to intercept these descending morsels. The Mountain Midge is ideally suited for targeting these selectively feeding jumping rainbows feasting on these hovering insects. The fly’s CDC feather construction enables a slow parachute-like descent mimicking the hang time exhibited by the hovering naturals. This characteristic is key to the fly’s success. Over the years the Mountain Midge has been though several iterations, however I settled on a post made of flash, which serves as a refractive sight making the fly easier as well as making it less invasive to trout.”

“Upon landing, the descent of the fly is a lot slower. You would have seen on the Cape Streams that these large black mayflies kind of hover just above the surface of the water. This fly imitates that hovering motion.”

Materials for the Mountain Midge dry fly for trout

• Hook: #16 Hanak dry fly hooks, model H130BL
• Thread: 17/0 denier, black.
• Tail: Coq de Leon
• Body: Peacock hurl
• Flash post: Flash
• Parachute: Black Cul de Cunard

For more on Stanton check out his “What’s In My Bag” feature in The Mission issue 41 below. It’s always free!