Chironomid ties

[Sundancefisher]

Picked up some hooks and started tying. About half of these are tied in the last month. 1/4 in the last week.














Think any will work?

[Frank_NK28]

Very nice! I need to learn how to do that stuff. Looks like a fun pastime.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

Very nice! I need to learn how to do that stuff. Looks like a fun pastime.

These are super simple. If I can do it then anyone can

[pikergolf]

Good Lord, you really jump in. Nicely done, they look good.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Good Lord, you really jump in. Nicely done, they look good.

Thanks

Sometimes when fishing is slow and nothing rising it’s useful to try a few chironomids deep. Sometimes when the trout are at surface hanging a chironomid at 1 foot works.

Meanwhile it gave me something to do.

[Mr Flyguy]

Wow, you've been busy, very nice ties. I thought I had tied oodles over the winter but...

Like your comment about depth. I tend to fish them deep all the time so will have to try bringing them up when there is lots of surface activity.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

Wow, you've been busy, very nice ties. I thought I had tied oodles over the winter but...

Like your comment about depth. I tend to fish them deep all the time so will have to try bringing them up when there is lots of surface activity.

I have a box of old ones tied with glass beads. These three boxes are all tungsten beads except for a few emergers.

[WinFwt]

Yep, those'll work for sure. Well done, very nice ties.
I'm thinking you've got enough to get you through this summer and the next few for sure.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by WinFwt

Yep, those'll work for sure. Well done, very nice ties.
I'm thinking you've got enough to get you through this summer and the next few for sure.

I try to have 5 each of the ones I like the most. 2 or 3 for ones I want to test first.

[WinFwt]

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

I try to have 5 each of the ones I like the most. 2 or 3 for ones I want to test first.

That's very similar to what I do as well. By the time a guy ties 1/2 doz. in each color and size, the boxes are getting full.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by WinFwt

That's very similar to what I do as well. By the time a guy ties 1/2 doz. in each color and size, the boxes are getting full.

I’m going to tie some green red butts. And some black yellow butts.

[pikergolf]

I've had good luck using Sterling Silver beads. Canadian Llama carries them under brass beads.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I've had good luck using Sterling Silver beads. Canadian Llama carries them under brass beads.

I’ve used silver, gold, white, red, green, black nickel.

Never know what will work. Silver would mimic the air bubble like the white does as gills as well.

[Russ C]

Be sure to tie some without beads. Sometimes a non beaded chironomid will out fish a beaded one. 😉 Tight lines all.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Russ C

Be sure to tie some without beads. Sometimes a non beaded chironomid will out fish a beaded one. 😉 Tight lines all.

I have a whole box with just glass beads. I’ve never used one without. Post a pick and an explanation as to when a headless one has worked for you. Very intriguing.

[Russ C]

Not so good at figuring out how to post pictures. I use bead less chironomids in really clear water with a swivel when the fish are being picky. As well when the fish are taking chironomids very close to the surface without the swivel. Tight lines Russ

[Tungsten,]

Ive always found the skinnier the better,so one layer of thread on a skinny hook.Very little taper.So Red hook blk#8 thread very small red wire rib tungsten white bead.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Tungsten,

Ive always found the skinnier the better,so one layer of thread on a skinny hook.Very little taper.So Red hook blk#8 thread very small red wire rib tungsten white bead.

I concur. I used to make them way too fat. I’m skinnier now and could be even skinnier. That being said these seem to have good catchability so far.

[SNAPFisher]

I find that when the big hatch is on that a fairly close representation is good enough. Of course the close the better but you can still have a great day.

Best colors for me, green (various shades), black (silver or red ribbed) and silver chironmids with a red butt. I have those 3 and I've got a place to fish there in May, June and July. And typically the highest amount of fish landed for me...other than the odd crazy back swimmer day in Sept.

[mustard73]

X2 on using a swivel about 18" above the fly. I do this even with tungsten head flies to help get to depth as quickly as possible.

[Sundancefisher]

Chironomids Rock

[Scottmisfits]

That at the lake? Those are some decent sized rainbows

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

That at the lake? Those are some decent sized rainbows

Allen Bill Pond...



They are nice uns.

22 and 20 inch.

[tallieho]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTOlwdNX9-w

Here's a video fyi..New kid on the block ..

[Don Andersen]

Originally Posted by Russ C

Be sure to tie some without beads. Sometimes a non beaded chironomid will out fish a beaded one. 😉 Tight lines all.

Russ is bang on.
Beads are so yesterday.

Don

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by tallieho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTOlwdNX9-w

Here's a video fyi..New kid on the block ..

Interesting vid

[Ayr]

Originally Posted by Russ C

Be sure to tie some without beads. Sometimes a non beaded chironomid will out fish a beaded one. 😉 Tight lines all.

Yes agreed. When fish are feeding high in the water column/subsurface and or early season in skinny water, a section in your fly box with (as close as you can get to) neutral buoyant chironomids can be really effective-and fun. Fish 'em naked and watch your line twang like a guitar string-good times.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by Don Andersen

Russ is bang on.
Beads are so yesterday.

Don

Like bamboo rods?

[Sundancefisher]

My fave

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

My fave

Nice, but what's with the barb?