In researching for an article on Midge fishing on Branson’s
Particularly on
From an Ole Seagull’s perspective, although there are arguments to the contrary, “Emerging” is a better term to use than “hatch.” Of the four major stages of a midge’s life cycle, egg, larvae, pupae, and adult, it is as the midge emerges from its pupae stage and is transitioning into the adult stage that the fisherman has the best opportunity to use midge imitations to catch trout on
As the midge emerges and transitions, it rises through the water column, from the bottom to the surface, where it completes its transition into adult, flies, off, swarms, mates, lays eggs, and dies, usually within about 48 hours of mating. It is as the midge gradually travels up the water column that it is at its largest sub surface size, presents the best target to trout, and, in the opinion of an Ole Seagull is easiest for both trout and fishermen to catch.
One can drive themselves crazy worrying about matching sizes and patterns but, from a midge fishing KIS perspective, on a day to day basis, the Ole Seagull has settled in on what he calls “The Ole Seagulls Small Five.” The Zebra Midge patterns, Copper Dun, Primrose and
Except for very early morning, the two must use midges every day are the Ugly and the Rusty. Only if they don’t work will I try another pattern. In the very early morning hours just after sunrise to about an hour after, I will start with the size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head and transition over to the Ugly and Rusty as things “brighten” up or if there is no success with the red. It should be pointed out that there are others, and probably better fishermen than this poor Old Seagull, who use different flies and techniques but that’s what makes fishing the wonderful experience that it is.
Presentation is extremely important. The vast majority of my fishing on
The “emerging” midge does not rise straight up to the surface, it gradually rises vertically to the surface as currents, winds, etc. are simultaneously moving it horizontally. I try to keep the drag to a minimum so the horizontal movement is as natural as possible. Although trout will hit the midge anywhere in the water column as it transitions, my theory is that they are more likely to come up for it than go down for it. Obviously, those who feel different will fish deeper. I use 6x Orvis Mirage Tippet down to the fly and generally set the depth at between one foot and four feet depending on the water depth. Typically when fishing in 5-8 feet of water I set it at four feet and forget it. As the water depth gets shallower the depth is adjusted accordingly.
With the small hook size expect to pick and roll and miss a lot. In my experience for every hook up I get there is, on average, a miss, pick and roll, or a break off but that is, not only fishing, it is excitement in itself. I love to throw the midge into water that is being rippled by the wind or through which a boat has just gone.
I must confess that I also use spinning tackle to fish midges and small jigs and that even when fishing with a fly rod, my rigging and lob and bob casting would make a classic fly fisher lose their breakfast but it works for me most of the time in the area that I fish. The important thing is that if you remember nothing else from this article please remember that if you not fishing midges as part of your fly fishing or fishing repertoire on Lake Taneycomo not only are you ignoring one of the primary food sources for trout but you are missing out on a lot of fun.
(Note: The vast majority of the time he fishes the Ole Seagull fishes under water off conditions or no more than generation than 703.5.)
