Chironomid

Chironomidae

Also known as: Chironomid, Lake Midge
Hook Sizes: #10-18
Active Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Typically Found: Lakes, Ponds
Chironomid

Description

"Chironomid" is simply the scientific family name for midges, but in fly fishing parlance, it refers specifically to the stillwater (lake) midge fishing game. It is arguably the most effective way to catch large numbers of trophy trout in productive lakes. Unlike their tiny river cousins, lake chironomids can be quite large (sizes #10-14, affectionately called "Bombers"). The content of a trout's stomach in a rich lake is often 80-90% chironomid pupae. Mastering the "indicator and idle" game is essential for stillwater success.

Life Cycle Stages

Chironomid Larva (Bloodworm) - life stage photograph

Larva (Bloodworm)

The larvae live in the mud. Many are bright red due to hemoglobin, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen mud. They are called "Bloodworms." They occasionally wiggle up into the water column, making a decent leechesque meal.

Recommended Fly Patterns

Red Dart fly pattern
Red Dart
#12-#18
Red, Purple, Blue, Black
Zebra Midge fly pattern
Zebra Midge
#18-#22
Black, Red, Olive, Cream
Brassie fly pattern
Brassie
#18-#22
Copper, Olive, Black
Blow Torch fly pattern
Blow Torch
#14-#18
Olive, Brown, Black
Copper John fly pattern
Copper John
#14-#20
Copper, Red, Green, Black
Pheasant Tail Nymph fly pattern
Pheasant Tail Nymph
#14-#20
Brown, Copper, Olive
Lightning Bug fly pattern
Lightning Bug
#16-#20
Pearl, Silver, Olive
Hare's Ear Nymph fly pattern
Hare's Ear Nymph
#12-#18
Natural, Olive, Tan
Slim Shady fly pattern
Slim Shady
#18-#24
Olive, Brown
Prince Nymph fly pattern
Prince Nymph
#12-#18
Peacock, Brown, White, Gold
Duracell fly pattern
Duracell
#14-#18
Brown, Black
Hare's Ear Jig fly pattern
Hare's Ear Jig
#10-#18
Natural, Olive, Brown, Black
Spanish Bullet Perdigon fly pattern
Spanish Bullet Perdigon
#14-#18
Olive, Brown, Copper, Black
Frenchie fly pattern
Frenchie
#14-#18
Brown, Olive
Chironomid Pupa ("The Chironomid") - life stage photograph

Pupa ("The Chironomid")

This is THE stage. The pupa ascends slowly from the bottom to the surface to hatch. It moves vertically. It has prominent white gills at the head and often a segmented body with ribbing. Anglers suspend imitations of this stage statically to intercept cruising trout.

Recommended Fly Patterns

RS2 fly pattern
RS2
#16-#22
Gray, Olive, Black
Klinkhammer Special fly pattern
Klinkhammer Special
#12-#18
Tan, Olive, Peacock, Black
WD-40 fly pattern
WD-40
#18-#22
Gray, Olive, Brown, Black
Black Beauty fly pattern
Black Beauty
#20-#24
Black
Sparkle Dun fly pattern
Sparkle Dun
#14-#22
Pale Yellow, Olive, Tan, Gray, Brown, Green
Barr's Emerger fly pattern
Barr's Emerger
#16-#24
Olive, Pale Yellow, Gray, Tan, Brown
Rojo Midge fly pattern
Rojo Midge
#18-#22
Red, Black, Silver, White
Top Secret Midge fly pattern
Top Secret Midge
#20-#24
Brown, Black, Gray, White
Chironomid Adult - life stage photograph

Adult

Once at the surface, the adult emerges. While dry fly fishing for them happens, the vast majority of feeding occurs underwater on the pupae.

Recommended Fly Patterns

Parachute Adams fly pattern
Parachute Adams
#12-#20
Gray, Brown
Griffith's Gnat fly pattern
Griffith's Gnat
#18-#22
Black, Gray
Royal Wulff fly pattern
Royal Wulff
#10-#18
Brown, Red, White
Purple Haze fly pattern
Purple Haze
#14-#20
Purple, Gray
Parachute BWO fly pattern
Parachute BWO
#16-#22
Olive, Gray
Trico Spinner fly pattern
Trico Spinner
#18-#24
Black, Gray, White
Parachute PMD fly pattern
Parachute PMD
#14-#18
PMD Tan, Olive, Yellow
Parachute Drake fly pattern
Parachute Drake
#10-#14
Olive, Gray, Brown, Tan

Habitat

Chironomids live in the mud/silt bottoms of lakes and ponds. They are most abundant in nutrient-rich (eutrophic) waters with weed growth and soft bottoms. They occur at all depths, but anglers typically target them in the "littoral zone" (shallows to drop-offs) from 5 feet down to 25 feet deep.

Behavior

The "Hatch" is actually a vertical migration. Pupae leave the mud and rise slowly. They may trap gas under their skin, giving them a silver/shiny appearance (the "chromie"). They can hang suspended for long periods. Trout cruise at specific depths, vacuuming them up. Understanding the depth at which the fish are feeding is the critical variable.

Fishing Information

Seasonality Spring (Ice-off) through late Fall. The biggest hatches are often shortly after ice-out.

Tactics

  • The Indicator: Use a slip-indicator setup to suspend pupa patterns at precise depths (often inches off the bottom).
  • Depth Control: Use hemostats to clip a depth sounder to your fly to find the bottom, then reel up 6-12 inches.
  • Static Retrieve: Do less. The "Chironomid Stare" involves letting the fly sit perfectly still, with only an occasional agonizingly slow 1-inch strip or twitch.
  • Multiple Flies: Fish two or three patterns at different depths to find the feeding zone.
  • Color Match: Black/Red, Chromie (Silver), Green, and Brown are staples. Match the hatch size carefully.

Recommended Patterns

  • Larva/Bloodworm: San Juan Worm (micro), Marabou Bloodworm
  • Pupa: Ice Cream Cone, Chromie, Chan's Chironomid, ASB (Anti-Static Bag) Chironomid, Zucchini
  • Emerger: Lady McConnell, Shipman's Buzzer

Conservation Status

Chironomids are incredibly robust and thrive even in agricultural ponds. They are the base of the food chain for stillwater trout growth.

Other Midge

Cluster Midge
Cluster Midge