Fly Of The Week: TFP Tufted Zebra Midge

One could argue that the Zebra Midge is one of the best tailwater trout flies of all time. It also works on freestone rivers and lakes, which makes it one of the most versatile flies you can keep in your box. But you know fly tiers—they always tinker with the best patterns and try to make them better. The Tufted Zebra is an example of a great fly repurposed, with the thought of taking a super productive pattern and making it better.

While the venerable Zebra Midge will forever have a place in most fly boxes, adding in the cdc tufts simulates gills and emerging wings on natural midges. This addition could make the difference between an educated trout making a mistake or snubbing its nose at the original pattern. The Tufted Zebra has become a favored pattern throughout the year. It works well whenever midges and small mayflies are found in abundance, which means most rivers and lakes. Dead-drifted, lifted, or fished just under the film, the TFP Tufted Zebra Midge covers a variety of situations and keeps you on fish for hours. Don’t hesitate to tie or buy this pattern in various colors and my recommendation is to give the chartreuse wire option a try. The subtle color phase change with the chartreuse wire has provided many fishy days on the Mo and elsewhere.