Blood Midge
Chironomus larvae contain hemoglobin, making them bright red — an irresistible color trigger for trout. Blood Midges are fished dead-drift near the bottom in tailwaters and stillwaters throughout the year. They are especially productive on deep pools of tailwaters in winter. Fish them on a drop-shot or indicator rig with size 6X fluorocarbon. The bright red body can be seen by fish from a significant distance.
- Type
- nymph (Midge)
- Hook sizes
- #16–20
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Curved larva hook #16–20
- thread: Red 10/0
- body: Red UNI-stretch or red floss, smooth
- ribbing: Fine silver wire
- head: Small bead or dark red dubbing
Tying steps
- Mount a size 16–20 curved larva hook; start red 10/0 thread at the bend.
- Wind red UNI-stretch or red floss in tight even layers from bend to the 3/4 mark building a smooth slim body.
- Tie in fine silver wire; wind 6 tight spirals over the body as ribbing.
- Apply a tiny ball of dark red dubbing or a dark bead as the head.
- Whip finish and apply a coat of UV resin over the entire body to add shine.
- Apply a coat of UV resin over the entire body and cure under UV light — this adds the signature glassy shine of a blood worm.
- Inspect the body diameter; it should not exceed half the hook gap or it will not sink correctly.
- Inspect the completed body under magnification — the UV resin should form a smooth, continuous glossy skin with no bubbles or bare thread showing through.