What's Jim Tying - Purple Poison Tung Midge

Purple Poison Tung Midge

This is a fly I’ve been tying and fishing for a while now.  I’ve had a lot of luck using purple flies while fishing for Steelhead, so I thought why not trout?  Let me tell you this fly catches fish.  This time of year, when fish are near the bottom and the bugs are smaller, it’s the perfect combination for those stubborn winter fish.  I like to tie flies that are easy to crank out a dozen or so in a short amount of time.  I also like flies that I can fish anywhere regardless of the hatch.  Try it and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  Follow the recipe below but keep in mind you can tie these in a variety of colors and sizes.

Materials Needed:

Hook: TMC 2487 #18-22

Bead: 2mm Nickel Tungsten Bead

Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 Purple

Rib: Ultrawire, Small, Black

Body: Uni-Thread 8/0 Purple

Collar: Ice Dub, Purple

Step 1

Slide the bead on the hook (crush that barb!) and secure in your vise.

Step 2

Start your tying thread.

Step 3

Tie in your wire.  Take your thread down to where the bend of the hook starts and return behind the bead.

Step 4

Build a taper with the thread.  Take thread wraps back and forth along the first ⅓ of the fly. Spiral wrap the wire forward to just behind the bead to form the rib.  Secure wire and helicopter off.

Step 5

Create a small dubbing noodle and create a collar behind the bead.

Step 6

Finish the fly with a whip finish or two and apply the adhesive of your choice.  (I just use two whip finishes on my smaller flies.)

Thank you for reading my tying blog for the Purple Poison Tung Midge. Give it a try and let me know what you think.   Please feel free to reach out with any questions!  Happy New Year!

Jim Natiello

jim@tcoflyfishing.com