lets talk chironomids

[lakerman]

switching from walleye and pike to trout looking to learn from the best, anyone having luck on the ponds super beginner old guy here looking for tidbits,funs in catching not interested in keeping Edm. area

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by lakerman

switching from walleye and pike to trout looking to learn from the best, anyone having luck on the ponds super beginner old guy here looking for tidbits,funs in catching not interested in keeping Edm. area

Under a bobber, oops, indicator. Needs a white head, ribbing, any dark color for a body and small. In my area mostly 14 and 16, refuse to use anything small as the hooks start getting weak. Somewhere else they might run bigger. Also don't over look small blood worm patterns, I have seen patterns as simple as a red hook. Just cast it out and leave it. If the lake has scuds the same presentation works surprising well for them as well. I used to fish with an old timer that couldn't cast worth anything, he would lob his rig out 20ft from the boat and usually out fished me. I cannot stare at a boober forever like he did, but he caught a lot of fish just staring.

[densa44]

The 14 and 16 that he mentions are hook sizes, if you have been a pike fisherman, you will find them very small but they work just fine.

BTW depending on your eyesight the eye of the hook may be so small that you have trouble changing flys, something that we do a lot!

Welcome and have fun!

[goldscud]

Little hooks need to be good steel for quality trout
Try Daiichi 1760 or use scud hooks for chironomids Daiichi 1120, Tiemco 2457

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Under a bobber, oops, indicator. Needs a white head, ribbing, any dark color for a body and small. In my area mostly 14 and 16, refuse to use anything small as the hooks start getting weak. Somewhere else they might run bigger. Also don't over look small blood worm patterns, I have seen patterns as simple as a red hook. Just cast it out and leave it. If the lake has scuds the same presentation works surprising well for them as well. I used to fish with an old timer that couldn't cast worth anything, he would lob his rig out 20ft from the boat and usually out fished me. I cannot stare at a boober forever like he did, but he caught a lot of fish just staring.

Needs a white bead ??? Nah, lots of effective chironomid patterns don't "need" white beads, often silver or black is used.

[Sundancefisher]

This thread was posted before also

Originally Posted by 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?

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ght=Chironomid

[tallieho]

If your new at chronomids & want to learn.Take the time to look up videos done by Brian Chan,Phil Rowley.They will explain ,how to fish to patterns ,as well as tieing it.A instrutional course i once attended,the presenter .Gave quite a comment that has stuck with me for 30 years of tieing.."Everything in life starts out small "

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

Needs a white bead ??? Nah, lots of effective chironomid patterns don't "need" white beads, often silver or black is used.

Silver is white. If you watch a pupa coming up they always have an air bubble at their front, it is how they rise to the surface to hatch.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by goldscud

Little hooks need to be good steel for quality trout
Try Daiichi 1760 or use scud hooks for chironomids Daiichi 1120, Tiemco 2457

Love Daiichi hooks, my favorites, never tried Tiemco.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Silver is white. If you watch a pupa coming up they always have an air bubble at their front, it is how they rise to the surface to hatch.

Get to Spec Savers STAT!

[Bigfeet]

My simple chironomid fly patterns.

Favorite hook: Tiemco 2499 SP-BL. Great shape and sticky sharp.
Body material: keep it thin with holographic tinsel, flashabou, etc. All silver, green, black, brown, etc. UTC 70 denier thread is nice too.
Ribbing: small wire with a contrasting color to the body.
Thorax: a few wraps of peacock herl.
Beads: lots of colors choices, but I do like black, black nickel, silver, white, orange...
Finish: Solarez Ultrathin UV glue makes a durable, long lasting finish.

There are lots of colors and materials to play with, but overall a simple formula. Fishing them by paying attention to the wind, for a drag free drift, can make a big difference.

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

Get to Spec Savers STAT!

I also use gold bead. Most of the time I would think the bead is not that important unless the fish are being very, very picky.

[goldscud]

tiny hook , big rewards. #16 Daiichi 1760

[SNAPFisher]

T a n k ! ! !

[spurly]

Wow, that’s a dandy

[Penner]

That guy was eat’n muskrats

[lakerman]

betcha he released it and thats how you take a memorable picture, not the rolling in mud shots.