Chironomid

TIED BY GALE DOUDY

        
 

Hook
Tiemco 2488 sizes 12 & 14
Thread
8/0
Body
Flat Waxed nylon
Rib
Small Uni Wire
Shellback
Pheasant tail
Thorax
1 peacock herl & 1 ostrich herl
Head
Tungsten bead
Gills
White antron yarn

 
Colors that work well together

Green
Thread-Olive
Body Fl-Chartreuse
Rib-Copper
Black
Thread-Black
Body-Black
Rib-Silver
Pink
Thread-Maroon
Body-Pink
Rib-Red
Orange
Thread-Fire Orange
Body-Fl Orange
Brown

 

 
 
 
Step 1. Attach thread behind the eye and tie on a piece of white antron. Whip finish and cut off thread. Remove hook and install bead the opposite way from normal (the large opening toward the eye. Shove bead over the thread tie in area.
Step 2. Insert hook in vise and attach flat waxed nylon one hook eye length behind the bead. Tie on a small copper wire at the same point.
Step 3. Wrap the wire back to the bend with the thread. Leave wire hanging and build a tapered body back to one hook eye behind the bead. Whip finish and cut off body thread.

 

 
 
 
Step 4. Place 3 wraps of rib wire on the bare part of the bend of the hook. Wrap the wire up the body in 6 segments to the back of the bead. Tie off and cut excess wire.
Step 5. Tie on 6 to 8 pheasant tail fibers by the tips with the butts extending over the back of the hook behind the bead.
Step 6. Tie on a white ostrich herl and a peacock herl by the tip behind the bead.

 

 
 
 
Step 7. Place ostrich and peacock herl into dubbin tool and spin into a rope. Wrap rope 3 or 4 times for a thorax. Cut off excess.
Step 8. Bring pheasant tails forward over the thorax area forming a shell back, trim excess and whip finish.
If desired place a small drop of epoxy over caseback.

 

 
 
 
Finished Pink
Finished Black
 Finished Orange

Gale Doudy with customer who was using the Chironomid

 Larry Ing with Colorado River Cutthroat caught on a Chironomid

 

Chironomids in lakes and other still waters are much larger than those found in rivers. One of my favorite methods on Grand Mesa (250 lakes) is to use my styrofoam (Pookie boat). I like to use a floating line with 20 ft of monofilament (2 lb test). Cast as far as I can towards shore, let it sink and then slowly retrieve. Sometimes I wonder why I am the only person on the lake. The next time you think you are combat fishing a river try a Grand Mesa lake. Yes, I know everyone else uses full sink lines.
Gale Doudy