The easiest nymph you may tie all year (Dave Hughes' Midge Nymph)

From Dave Hughes' "Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters," his Midge Nymph was inspired by one of Ed Koch's patterns in his 1972 book "Fishing the Midge." The pattern is simple, and generic enough that it makes a decent imitation for all sorts of nymphs- from mayflies, to caddis, to scuds and even crustaceans.
Hook: #12-24 curved shank
Thread: Black, or to match the body
Weight: 0.015-0.020 diameter
Rib: Wire, color of your choice
Body: Any fur dubbing
** Some of the popular books used on this channel: **
Fly Pattern Encyclopedia: amzn.to/34U0rUe
Mike Valla's "Tying the Founding Flies," 2015, amzn.to/354oSir
Valla's "Tying and Fishing Bucktails..." 2016, amzn.to/3Jg2Mys
Valla's "Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies," 2020, amzn.to/3DmYOjJ
Valla's "Classic Streamer Fly Box," 2020, amzn.to/3n3Vakf
Dave Hughes, "Essential Trout Flies," 2017, amzn.to/3lbCZYX
Hughes, "Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters," amzn.to/3HC2jpc
Hughes, "Wet Flies," 2015, amzn.to/33ac3lQ
David Klausmeyer's "Favorite Flies," 2020, amzn.to/3oeSNMa
Randle Scott Stetzer's "Flies, the Best One Thousand," amzn.to/34Q15mp
Terry Hellekson's "Popular Fly Patterns," 1976, amzn.to/2L4IyvS
Dick Stewart's, "Flies for Bass and Panfish," 1992, amzn.to/3aGpFs1
Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. Thanks for stopping by.

[@michaelmerlino6753]

Quick suggestion,keep a glass of water on your bench when tying submerged patterns:You get a better idea of what they look like in the water:So many classic English patterns change drastically when wet.

[@SavageFlies]

Great call Mike! One rule of thumb I've read, and believe it to be mostly true, is that natural materials usually get darker when wet, but synthetics pretty much maintain the same color when dry or wet. Like a yellow silk floss darkens when wet but a yellow Antron body stays mostly yellow.

[@peteyarrington582]

That looks like a great little fly, especially for the Pennsylvania limestone streams. With that dubbing and the silhouette created by the lead wire, it would be a great amphipod/isopod. I can remember when Ed Koch's book came out, it really helped put midge fishing on the map. With my parents' help, I got a 6-foot Fenwick for a #5 line (pretty light at that time), and I actually caught quite a few trout on Koch's No-Name midge and LeTort Cricket. Some on midge nymphs too!

[@SavageFlies]

That is so cool to hear Pete. I'm going to have to find a used copy of his book. --- Okay, I'm back. I just found a copy on Abe Books and ordered it. Along with a couple other tying books I'd never heard of from the 1970s. Ordering something like that sight-unseen is always a fun mystery. And exciting to see what comes in the mail next week. :-)

[@peteyarrington582]

Ed Koch's little book is one of my favorite re-reads. Its small but is chock-full of good stories and lessons. And of course flies. **By the way - The first Jack Dennis book had a fly in it I'd like to put in your Recommendations pile for the channel. The H&L Variant. Stands for House and Lot, apparently, but I have never seen the story behind the name. (please don't tell me its in a book I already own) @@SavageFlies

[@chasesisler5833]

Big fan of your videos! I live about 10 min from the Savage and have recently gotten back into fly fishing (started maybe 12yrs ago.) Your videos and playlists have been helping a lot to re-learn tying and I enjoy watching a perspective from someone in the same area.

[@laytonmarvin3790]

It's just an awesome pattern. I personally have an entire box of this pattern in multiple sizes and color arrangements. Have a fantastic weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Cool to hear Layton! I can see this just being a plain fish catcher for so many different species. Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Good evening Matt. I took that book south with me last winter and tied several of those nymphs. Tried them a couple times this summer without success. Might have to try some different colors. Headed home tomorrow. Antelope hunt was successful. I’ll send you some pics. Take care and have a great weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Outstanding! I can't wait to see the pics from your hunt. I'm heading up to the farm this afternoon. Got some flooring being installed so not sure if I'll make it out to any water but I might get a couple hours off. :-)

[@workforit2270]

I haven't been tieing as much lately, Been a little busy. But I still love watching your content. Thanks Matt for always putting out new flies to tie. Love you're dedication!

[@SavageFlies]

Well I appreciate that Casey! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@edwardchavez5627]

Good Morning Sir Matt, I'm liking this Midge Nymph very good looking bug. The green rib isn't bad the fish might like it 😊 Have a great weekend Sir Matt and tight lines my friend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Edward! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@jdigioia1130]

Thanks for sharing the list of books in the description! 🎣

[@SavageFlies]

You're most welcome Joe! I should probably update that list as I've got a lot more since I came up with that one. Some of those are timeless classics, but I've got a few more I've come across this past year that would make great additions to anybody's library. :-)

[@jdigioia1130]

Sounds good! While I really don’t need anymore books, it’s always good to know what other ppl think of certain authors/content.

[@davehall2160]

Good looking fly, Matt Hope you have a great weekend, and thanks for the video

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Dave! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@vrich3733]

Awesome! I've been falling behind....Binge watching! lol Thank you sir!

[@bobhammond8067]

Great tie and information. Nice!!

[@TheCopperVillageAngler]

I will have to try this pattern. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@ybarrajc]

Thanks for sharing, I love tying these and playing around with color combinations. Have a blessed weekend my friend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@jimholland1592]

Hey Matt☕️☕️, You know I like easy and these kind of flies. They are so effective and you don’t mind losing them as much. Have a great day and weekend 😉

[@SavageFlies]

Haha! I don't know if one of your big monster catfish would mess with something like this though. :-)

[@ZacharyBobbie1611]

Awesome pattern Matt! Brook Trout will absolutely love this fly! Thank you! Tight lines! 😎🎣

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it gents! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

I think anyone who ties simple nymphs will 'invent' this pattern eventually. I have tied several and they are a standard for me. They always work, along with the pheasant tail and hare's ear. They are maybe all we need on most streams most times? Great version here. -)

[@SavageFlies]

I think you got that right Terry! We get so caught up in tying fancy flies (which can be a lot of fun), but these simple ones can be the bread and butter for catching fish. :-)

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

@@SavageFlies All good fun and so interesting. :-)

[@tomt5176]

G’morning Matt. I’m checking out your recent post before going out for Raritan bay striped bass. Perhaps you may consider tying something like a peanut bunker for a future video. Thanks for your constant source for learning, creativity and sharing the passion for fly fishing and tying. Staying posted.

[@SavageFlies]

Great note Tom! I've never even been fly fishing in saltwater so I haven't tied much for it. But I'm checking out this pattern now and it looks like a fun one! Some very cool examples at this page: www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/703388-peanut-bunker-flys/page/5/ I'll have to add some of these materials to my next order.

[@howardmceachern6614]

Matt, this is a great pattern to tie today. I enjoy your content-great advice on the hook. You do a great job on the tying, and I feel I am there with you. Thanks, Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Well I appreciate the kind words Howard! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@mattsflytying2816]

I just started using squirrel dubbing and mink love both of them. Those simple flies catch good

[@SavageFlies]

Yes! Squirrel is kind of magical. A spiky squirrel body and peacock herl collar and you've got a can't-miss pattern on a LOT of waters. Thanks for the note Matt. :-)

[@bigdaddy99929]

I love simple. Nice nymph. Thx Matt. Have a fabulous weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Oh I know you do Clyde! The KISS principle. :-) Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@joutdoorsmen23]

I think everyone should have a row or two of them in your box, great work Matt, I tie them with bead head so you have lots of different patterns and weights to choose from

[@SavageFlies]

Great call with the bead. I do something similar with a green or dark bead (and silver and brass colors too). I've never even named the pattern, but have always called it my "simple squirrel." And purples and pinks have always worked well for me on the Savage. :-)

[@joeduca8582]

Nice and simple Matt, thanks👍

[@SavageFlies]

Yes indeed Joe! I'm heading out to the farm this afternoon. Having some flooring installed but I'm hoping to get a couple hours on some water somewhere. :-)

[@joeduca8582]

@SavageFlies cool. Good luck. I don't know about your area, but the weather up here improved today. See you Tuesday buddy.

[@richardjones2129]

Thanks Matt for sharing this simple, fishy looking fly. It can b variated in many ways. Definitely worth investing the time to put a row n ur flybox! God Bless n Fish on!

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely Richard! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@Wyamike734]

Thanks for the video Matt. Looks to be an easy one to tie yet also effective. Have a great weekend

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Mike! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@tompeterson559]

I love simple patterns like this. Thank you. And I agree, I think the copper does look better, although I'm going to try a red rib!

[@kenb4685]

Beaut job Matt, even with the mangled thread. Thanks.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Ken! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@ruebdogg1]

Matt, your portions and thread control continue to improve. Thank you for these videos and your consistent hard work putting them together!

[@SavageFlies]

You're most welcome! I appreciate the kind words. Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@FlyTyer1948]

Fast, simple & resembles lots of insects - how could you not want to tie to tie it? When I first started fly fishing & tying, I would have looked at the appearance as being sloppy. When I got some real fly fishing experience, I started to realize that this type of design was quite elegant in the engineering sense. Good choice, Matt. Maybe add an emu feather? ;-)

[@SavageFlies]

Hahaha! Speaking of emu feathers, with my recent research on them, I thought they were kind of a new addition to tying. But when researching last night, I saw lots of references to emu in George Herter's "Professional Fly Tying and Tackle Making" book which was published in 1941. And he was a Minnesota guy so it's not like he was English with some Australian roots. So I guess tiers have been using them for a lot longer than I realized!

[@FlyTyer1948]

Heh.

[@HunterAnsorge-ok9jk]

Ive seen amazon reviews cry about hooks being bendy… If name brand hooks do it too… That means they would technically work too.

[@DB-iu8yl]

Thanks for another great pattern. Very buggy, easy to vary colors and quite buggy.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it DB! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@DB-iu8yl]

It’s been a good one. We’re getting our things packed to go camping next weekend. I hope the trout are biting.

[@dankochanek8056]

Seems like the simpler the pattern the more fish you catch. Like the RS2. This is a neat pattern you have tired up.

[@SavageFlies]

Yes! I was just reading last night about the Burke method of midge fishing and the RS2 came up a lot as a trailing tiny nymph on a two-fly rig.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Yep a nice simple fly Matt. I was thinking maybe a gold wire would stand out nicely. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.

[@SavageFlies]

That's a good call Dave. I think gold or hot yellow would certainly look better than the dark green I tried. :-)

[@jeffjackson5331]

Neat little fly

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Jeff! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@SavageFlies it is my pleasure. So far so good. Same to you as well.

[@burtonbrocious171]

Morning matt nice midge nymph ever hear of a midge called the mouse turd. Dry fly hook 22 to 28 muskrat dubbing that's it job done😊

[@SavageFlies]

Haha! I have never heard of that but I see plenty of mouse turds in barn at the farm. And that's about right. I'd say they're about a size 24. :-)

[@FlyTyer1948]

Easy enough to tie. I’m still wondering why Mr. Teeny used two sets of legs. It’s unusual enough that there must of been a reason.

[@randallsimmons1093]

Maybe I missed it but what size hook were you using? 14, 16, 18, 20?? I really appreciate all of these episodes you put out. It’s helped me broaden the amount of patterns that I now know how to tie. Quick tip . When I have to stop my thread where it’s hanging right at the Hook point. I’ve learned to rotate the vice so that the hook point is above the thread. Therefore the thread can’t swing and rub against the hook point while I’m getting my next material. Once I have my bobbin back in my hand, then I rotate the fly back into tying position. hope that helps you out. Again, thanks for all you do!!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Randall! I may have forgotten to say but this was a 16. I'll try your tip but sometimes when I'm recording I try to keep the fly upright for the camera. But I'll give it a shot. 👍

[@tonygarrett601]

That should catch fish there’s nothing wrong with simple. If you fish a lot of tail waters and use a lot of zebra midges a few of these will be a great addition. How small are you tying them for your box.

[@SavageFlies]

I haven't made any as small as an 18 yet but I plan to as I fish a lot of zebra midges in 18-20. A good experiment would be using this and a zebra midge and see which one fools the most fish. :-)

[@jimrinehart4345]

👍Doesn’t have to be complicated to catch fish.

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely Jim! Thanks for the note and hope you're having a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@user-cc1hi1ju1q]

👍💪

[@jimgollach6202]

Hey Matt! This pattern is very similar to one I made up many moons ago, and it has caught many fish for me. Enjoyed watching. 👍

[@SavageFlies]

Yes indeed Jim! Like somebody else said in the comments, it's such a simple fly, it's probably been invented by thousands of tiers just playing around at the bench. :-)