Matts Midge - Very Tiny Dry Fly - McFly Angler Fly Tying Tutorial

The Matts Midge is really effective for tailwater trout who are very picky with size and look of flies. These things really do look like little midges flying around. I even once had one fall out of my box and landed on my waders without my knowledge, I looked down later and instantly grabbed for my dry flies thinking the midges were hatching. LOL. They are excellent little flies that perfectly mimic a tiny midge.
I regularly tie these from size 20-26. I have been known to tie down to 28, but thats as far as I go. I do know a couple brave souls with better eyes than I have, that tie them down to a size 30. So they can be tied small, and this is important when fishing picky tailwater trout. For instance at the San Juan river. This river has trout that are willing to come up and nip at your waders, however will refuse a fly sized 22 if they are targeting size 24. They have learned that they cannot get away from humans on this river, but they can pick and choose what size (and look) of fly they bite. These little matts midges fool them quite often, more often than other dry flies I have seen on that river. And best thing of all, they are one of the easiest dry flies to tie.
As always I am including all the materials I used with links to the Fly Artist. I was able to negotiate a deal for YOU in which the fly artist will give you a discount just for being my subscriber. Type in McFlySubs at checkout for your discount in materials. You won't find better prices anywhere else!
Hook: Daiichi 1110 size 24 - www.flyartist....
Thread: Black Veevus 16/0 - www.flyartist....
Wing: White CDC Oiler Puff - www.flyartist....
Hackle: Black Whiting or Metz rooster cape - www.flyartist....
Head Cement: Hard as Hull - www.flyartist....
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#dryfly #flytying #midge #drymidge #trout #troutfly #riverfly

[@duderoony]

Nice pattern dude. Definitely one I’m going to try. Thank you for uploading.

[@McFlyAngler]

glad you liked it. :)

[@bigpapi3636]

I like this fly 'cause there's a good chance I could see it in the water! Thanks!

[@McFlyAngler]

You could? Man, at size 24, not sure I can myself... haha

[@justinmcquaide4862]

Great fly definitely will have a go at this one thanks for sharing

[@McFlyAngler]

It’s a good pattern for sure, one f the top producers for my local tail waters where trout gorge on tiny midges...

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Nice, I’ve had some really good days on the San Juan use to fish it a lot . Thanks for the video

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah man, glad you enjoyed it. The San Juan is a great fishery for sure once you get past it’s busyness…. Lol

[@mikekuczynski1552]

@@McFlyAngler that was one of the reasons I stopped going as often and I live in MT and have a lot of options close by .

[@McFlyAngler]

Awesome man! Yeah I hear it’s amazing fishing there! Never had the opportunity to fish there though.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

@@McFlyAngler after fishing the San Juan for some many years and a bunch of other tail waters where # 26-20 are mandatory it’s different when a small fly is a # 14 up to # 10 and streamers are 1.5 inches to 6” . The downside is without water it’s going to be tuff fishing the west and even NM .

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah, I had a guy just order some stimulators from me, he wanted size 16’s but I was like hey I think they fish large there. Looked it up and I was surprised they recommend 8-14 sizes for them! Lol! I tied him up some 10’s and 14’s. Could not get away with that large of a fly in most of the areas of Colorado or New Mexico I used to fish. Haha! Well maybe a 14…

[@stewoutdoors3020]

Another awesome video. A couple of weeks ago I fished the Chassahowitzka River, Homosassas River, Salt River, Crystal River, and the Withlacoochee River systems. I learned a lot from the trip. The clear water made it almost impossible to trick the fish with a fly. I have since been working on the game changer pattern designed by Blane Chocklett. Take a look.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah I’ve seen the game changer. It’s a good streamer. Tough to tie though! Haha. Good luck! That’s like a one hour tie. Lol. So did you have any luck on those rivers? What flies were you using? What species of fish?

[@stewoutdoors3020]

@@McFlyAngler Working large mouth bass on the sweet water side. The clear water crushed my wife and I . When we got into the salt mouth of the rivers we were at home. Trout, Snook were small, we could not get on the reds.

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah, in our freshwater streams we fish super clear all the time. These creeks are crystal clear, and sometimes you have to hide behind a bush and cast. Hahahaa

[@williambyington4864]

I used a Matt's Midge during a Trico hatch and the fish liked it very much. I used Polypropylene for the wing and Grizzly hackle.

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah it’s a good fly for sure, trico hatches are perfect for this fly. Sounds awesome man

[@lenhowl]

Well done, gonna try it. Cheers from Newfoundland

[@McFlyAngler]

Hey there, how’s the fishing out that way?

[@lenhowl]

Fishing is pretty good here. I only fish trout, both browns and bookies and doing ok with it. Caught my biggest brown ever last week, 4 pounds and 20 inch’s. Had his fillets on bbq and they were delicious. Salmon season is now open also but haven’t been talking to anyone to see if there are many salmon in rivers yet. Where are you located and how is the fishing there? Cheers

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh cool, those are good fish. I am located in Texas, but I used to fish Colorado a lot. More trout fishing in Colorado. Texas is hot so only trout in the winter, otherwise it’s bass fishing and saltwater the rest of the year.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

This fly reminds me of the No see um that Fly Fish food did a video on an d sells. They are RIDICULOUSLY TINY

[@McFlyAngler]

They are small. Matt’s midge has been around for a while, similar yeah. Difference is the no seeum is basically an RS2. Notice no hackle on theirs. This one has hackle. Floats a bit better. Different uses. But yeah for sure looks similar.

[@seanmooney3907]

Nice tie! I love to tie tiny flies. I haven't been fishing with midges this small yet. I am going to fill a box for next springs fishing. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Sean

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah tying small is definitely a good type of challenge.

[@stevencroon]

Now is the time to fish with these little bugs, don't wait till spring you will miss the very best fall hatches.

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah, I have been my friend. Go check the rest of my channel. Also, where I live, small bugs are the way to go year round. At least on the San Juan. They are picky there and generally will more readily take 24 and under sizes more readily than large flies (with the exceptions of specific hatches of larger bugs and terrestrial dumps).

[@ziopel339]

Could you tel me wich camera are you using for video please ? Fantastic fly

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks, here is the camera. I’m using the kit lends but adding the macro rings behind it for close up shots. I’ll link to both. Camera - amzn.to/45oOPGX Macro rings - amzn.to/3WqVsV2

[@travisbyles5286]

So small! Do you add floatent to these or is that tiny hackle enough.... dont know you could even see it on the water!

[@McFlyAngler]

I do add floatant, but it works for a while without it. Just helps keep it up for longer.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Another one I missed. I know you are doing a macro thing with your camera, but the wire on that hook seems too heavy or is it just so far out of its real size that it just looks that way? A great fairly simple design.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks. So that’s the daiichi 1110, a 1x fine dry fly hook. So it’s technically very light wire compatibly to regular dry fly hooks. Yes it’s the macro thing. Amazing how thick a human hair looks! Haha. Glad you like it. It’s not my design but one I use often!

[@yeshuaadoneinu436]

what kind of flies do u use in the late fall /winter

[@McFlyAngler]

Depends on the body of water, conditions of the day, and many more factors...

[@ghart91]

What vise do you use? I/m looking for vise that accepts size #20-#24 hooks easily.

[@McFlyAngler]

Renzetti traveler. I tie from size 2/0 down to 30 with it just fine

[@NickAndCaroline]

I’ll have to tie a few before I can’t see them anymore. Lol.

[@McFlyAngler]

Lol!

[@nuevoflies842]

And on the Juan nice

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks, yeah this dry I used on the Juan often

[@nuevoflies842]

McFly Angler tying my own midge patterns for the San Juan this spring. Still learning though.

[@McFlyAngler]

Good luck, that place wants them small! Haha

[@jongoulet3740]

Two dry flies in that video? Looks like a double rig?

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes it was, a large fly as an indicator so I could see the tiny Matt’s midge. How I usually fish this fly.

[@user-sr8gh1me8x]

Великолепно 👍🤝🙋‍♂️

[@dantheman7624]

I have not tried this bug so i twisted up 3 to try out.

[@McFlyAngler]

Let me know how it works for you...

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

4 🤯

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

😎Ⓜ️🐂

[@McFlyAngler]

I’m really sorry, I don’t really understand emoji language. Can you say in words what your trying to say?

[@robertmrivera]

omg was that a dead fish in the water?

[@McFlyAngler]

Been a while since I made this video. But I believe so yes. It’s the San Juan. Tons of fish there and lots of amateur fisherman. Many times I’ll walk up onto a spot and there will be a dead fish there. It happens.

[@robertmrivera]

@@McFlyAngler Thank you for all your videos. I really learn a bunch about tying and information. Too bad about the dead fish. I know you practice a good, clean release. Have fun on your next fishing trip.

[@McFlyAngler]

It is unfortunate, but hey it’s nature. Nothing lives forever. And not everyone is willing to obey the law. I’m ok with people keeping fish and eating them, but senseless killing, or keeping fish in a place that it’s illigal to do so is bad in my opinion. Either way, it’s not all the time I see dead fish, but it does happen. Oh well. I am glad you like my videos. Thanks for watching

[@kahuna4264]

Daiichi is pronounced “dye ee chi”. Not “dye ah chi”.

[@McFlyAngler]

Cool

[@703mochababy]

You kept your thumb or fingers in front of tying to ruin how to tie.

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh ok! Interesting!

[@dongil123]

Oh really! I guess the fly's you tie are for catching Jaws then?..😔