How to Tie a Frostbite Midge Variation

Step 1:

Secure bead to the hook.

Step 2:

Secure the thread. Push the bead back towards the bend of the hook and secure some 16/0 Veevus thread in brown to the hook shank right behind the hook eye.

Step 3:

Tie in the gills. Grab some white Antron yarn and place it against the hook shank at a downward angle facing you and take a pinch wrap to secure the yarn in place. Draw the yarn back toward hook bend until the yarn sticks out over the hook eye about one hook eye in length. Once satisfied with the length of the gills, take three or four tight securing wraps to secure the yarn in place. Trim the excess yarn behind the bead off flush and whip finish the thread. Jam the bead right behind the hook eye as shown below. 

Step 4:

Tie in the body. Secure some Veevus body quill in claret to the hook shank.

Step 5:

Tie in the rib. Secure some small silver wire to the hook right behind the eye.

Step 6:

Form the body. Wrap the body quill in touching turns back towards the hook bend. Go deep down into the bend and then go back up the hook shank until you’ve reached the bead. There should be no silver wire showing. Whip finish the body quill and resecure the Veevus 16/0 brown thread behind the bead.

Step 7:

Rib the body. Take the silver wire and rib the body using open spiral wraps up the body. Secure the wire and then helicopter the excess free.

Step 8:

Select a single peacock herl and tie it in behind the bead. Take several wraps with the herl to produce a bulbous thorax. Tie off the herl with a few securing wraps.

Step 9:

Add a dab of super glue to the thread. Here I'm using Loctite Brush On. 

Step 10:

Whip finish the fly.