Fly Tying: Zebra Midge

[@garrydurfey]

Great tie. For some reason this is a f Midge I have not tied but will now! Thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for sharing the recipe. Seems some folks don’t like doing that but it really helps.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks! I agree which is why I started doing it.

[@kentw.897]

Nice Skyler. Thanks for sharing this video. Aloha 🌴🐛🎣🐟

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@kenmattner753]

Nice simple fly....Right up my alley as a new tier.....Hope you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year...

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks Ken! So far Christmas has been fantastic. I wish you a merry Christmas as well! And good luck with your tying.

[@larryelkington4639]

Great fly for winter fishing, try a silver bead, silver wire and a dab of black peacock ice dub for a collar. Thanks again for your detailed instructions. Have a Merry Christmas!!!

[@skylerhardman1227]

I'll have to give that a try. I'm moving across the state in a couple weeks and will be exploring some new water, so I'll be trying some new patterns, I'll put that on my list for sure. Thanks Larry!

[@raydowdy6630]

The color options are cool

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@chrisremster6904]

One of my personal favorite patterns. Always super easy to tie and so few materials makes it worth while.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Totally agree, when comes to fish caught per time on the vise, this fly really wins out.

[@andersonsoutdoors4873]

Hey Skylar, enjoyed your video. Very simple, straight forward instruction. I love tying and have made a couple videos of my own, but really just a novice with this stuff. The zebra is a great fly here in New Mexico. Have had success with it in a couple different places! I'll sub and check out some more of your stuff. See you on the river.........................................AO

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thank you very much! I checked out some of your stuff and it looks great, keep it up! When I started to learn fly tying as a kid no one in my family or group of friends tied flies so I had to purchase books as talk to people at fly shop and figure things out on my own. I wish there had been an online community around fly tying like there is now, keep it up there will definitely be people who benefit from it. If I'm ever down in the New Mexico area I'll have to get in touch with you.

[@andersonsoutdoors4873]

For sure. Would love to fish with you or whatnot. Thanks man!

[@smattext]

Very nice!!

[@Flies_the_limit]

5/16 bead in description. Is that a mistake? Did u mean 5/64? Love your tying vids :)

[@oliverwilliamson3910]

Another great video Skyler,

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks Oliver!

[@oliverwilliamson3910]

How about a Zug Bug video ? It's one of my favourite patterns for early season in the Canadian Rockies were i do most of my fishing. I would be really interested to see your take on this fly.

[@skylerhardman1227]

I have fished a Zug Bug a bit on still water, and I have a friend who swears by them. I had it on my list of videos to do, but I can definitely bump it up the list. I'm working on a couple of projects right now, but stay tuned and I'll get a Zug Bug video done for sure in the near future. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@trevorbarrocas2681]

What thread type and size are you using here? Fairly new to fly tying. Recently been trying to narrow down my thread types to something that cords and flattens well. Great instruction! Really liking your videos.

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks! In this video I used UTC 70 denier though you can use Danville 70 denier flymaster plus. The Danville is a little more versatile and has a stronger tensile strength. I love UTC for its look though it's a little weaker.

[@petermhuebner]

Hi there! After helicoptering the wire the thread gets frayed on the end of the wire as I go to finish the tie. Any advice? It basically catches and separates the fibers on the thread and makes the ship finish ugly, impossible or both!

[@skylerhardman1227]

When building up the taper, try making the body a little narrower by the bead. Then when you tie off the wire you can take a few more wraps before helicoptering the wire. By doing this you can get the wire to break off below the wraps so most or all of the end is covered already before you whip finish. You can also take a few more wraps to cover the end of the wire before whip finishing.

[@petermhuebner]

@@skylerhardman1227 I’ll give it a shot! Thank you much

[@cjolflyfisher]

A classic fly...as stated...an easy tie and fish can't stay off them...

[@skylerhardman1227]

Couldn't agree more!

[@tadewilson4109]

I really enjoy your tutorials. Simple and to the point, quality stuff. What vise and tools do you use?

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks Tade! I use a hodgepodge of tools, but I have a renzetti presentation 2000 vice, a griffin bobbin, Dr. Slick hair stackers, and I have various versions of almost every other tool.

[@tadewilson4109]

Awesome thanks for the reply

[@handcannon1388]

Do you ever coat these with thin UV resin? It gives them a nice shine, and makes them virtually bulletproof.

[@skylerhardman1227]

I have before. I tied some for a guy fishing pyramid Lake in Nevada and he wanted resin on them. I especially liked what happened with the purple ones. You're totally right, the resin makes them look awesome and I'm sure it'd take a lot to wreck them.

[@santaellamedia7077]

do you have any advice as where to start with fly tying equipment? thanks

[@skylerhardman1227]

I am a firm believer in getting a good pair of scissors, you will want serrated scissors that are a size you are comfortable with. I think a rotary vice is worth the money over a non-rotary personally. You will want a bobbin with a ceramic tip, you'll break a lot less thread. That is where I would start.

[@santaellamedia7077]

Skyler Hardman thanks for taking the time to reply. Noted!

[@JWolfy11]

Do you ever add lead/lead-free wire to these?

[@skylerhardman1227]

I have in large sizes but I've found it to be unnecessary in most cases. The reason being that they sink pretty fast already without the wire and if I want to fish them deeper then I fish a second fly that is heavier.

[@rezanorikia837]

Perfect👍👍👍

[@skylerhardman1227]

Thanks!

[@mountainstateadventures8968]

Could you run these on bigger hook

[@skylerhardman1227]

Definitely. I will fish them usually up to a 14, but depending on the water you could go bigger. I tied some for a guy who went to go fish pyramid lake and he had me tie them in sizes 8 and 10. Apparently the fish like big midge patterns over there.

[@mountainstateadventures8968]

@@skylerhardman1227 sweet thanks man....just got into fly fishing and tying

[@skylerhardman1227]

Well we're glad to have you. It's a great sport and you'll never be bored. Nor will your wallet ever be full again. Tight lines!

[@mountainstateadventures8968]

@@skylerhardman1227 thanks brother