How-to-steps ( Green Chironomid )

[Jeremy Hunt]

Green Chironomid ( Brian Chan )

Recipe:

Hook: Tiemco 2457, size 12-18

Thread: UTC 70, olive

Gills: White antron yarn

Bead: Tungsten

Rib: Copper wire (BR)

Thorax: Peacock herl

Step 1.

Start the thread right behind the eye. Cut the tag end off.

Step 2.

Tie in the antron in the center with a few turns of thread. Don’t go crazy with thread wraps or the bead won’t slide over the thread wraps. Cut the excess off the back and make a few more turns to secure everything. Tie off the thread and add a drop of glue as well.

Step 3.

Slide the bead with the small hole face towards the back. Start the thread behind the bead and you’re ready to tie in some wire.

Note: the thread will be the body of the fly so make sure you pay attention to the thread wraps when tying this fly. The key is to have a smooth foundation for the body. Cut the antron in the front to form the gills. You don't want this to be long so cut it close.

Step 4.

Butt the wire up to the bead and tie it in. I like to push mine up in the bead a little.

Step 5.

Tie back making each wrap side by side until you get to the bend. Repeat the same wraps going back up to the bead. The reason why it’s important to use a floss thread is so the thread wraps lay flat around the hook shank. If you use a wax thread you will see segmentations from the thread.

Step 6.

Wrap the wire up keeping the segmentations evenly spaced as you wind up. I like to have a count system when wrapping the wire so every fly comes out looking the same. I usually do six to seven wraps when I tie midges.

Step 7.

Wrap back a little and tie in a strand of peacock herl. Advance the thread back up to the bead and make three wraps with the herl going in front of each wrap. Tie it off right behind the bead and cut the excess off.

Step 8.

Whip finish the thread and add some glue right behind the bead.