Hatch Guide · Diptera (Chironomidae)

Midge

Midges hatch year-round and are the primary surface food on tailwaters through winter.

Peak months: JanuaryFebruaryMarchOctoberNovemberDecember

Top fly patterns

1
Zebra Midge
Size 18-24 · nymph
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Month-by-month activity

Number of rivers where the Midge hatch is active each month.

Jan
16 rivers
Feb
16 rivers
Mar
17 rivers
Apr
·
May
·
Jun
·
Jul ●
·
Aug
·
Sep
·
Oct
11 rivers
Nov
18 rivers
Dec
16 rivers

Rivers where Midge hatches

Farmington River
Connecticut Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Trout Management Area below Riverton: catch-and-release artificial-only year-round. Lower river stoc…
Housatonic River
Connecticut Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Catch-and-release TMA between Cornwall Bridge and Boardman Bridge. Hatches: caddis, Hendricksons, su…
Salmon River
Connecticut Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Atlantic Salmon Broodstock area: special regs apply. Heavily stocked sections.
Deerfield River
Massachusetts Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Cold tailwater below Fife Brook Dam (Florida, MA) plus the Mohawk Trail water. Dam releases drive fl…
Battenkill River
Vermont Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Classic wild brown and brook trout river: no stocking, technical fish, clear water. Cooler than the …
Upper Delaware River
Pennsylvania / New York Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Big tailwater-influenced system (West and East Branches plus the main stem) holding wild rainbows an…
Beaverkill River
New York Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
The birthplace of American dry-fly fishing. Classic Catskill freestone water with Quill Gordon, Hend…
Esopus Creek
New York Active: Mar
NYC watershed tailwater: Tunnel Portal releases cold water from the Schoharie Reservoir, keeping tem…
Missouri River
Montana Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Famous tailwater below Holter Dam near Craig. Midge and BWO hatches year-round; PMD and trico domina…
North Platte River
Wyoming Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
The famous Miracle Mile below Seminoe Reservoir: cold tailwater holding large rainbows and browns. M…
South Platte River
Colorado Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Gold Medal water through Cheesman Canyon and the Dream Stream above Eleven Mile Reservoir. Highly te…
Fryingpan River
Colorado Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Gold Medal tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt, with massive midge and PMD hatches. Monster …
Blue River
Colorado Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Gold Medal tailwater below Dillon Reservoir in Silverthorne. Heavily fished but holds large fish. Mi…
South Fork Boise River
Idaho Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Cold tailwater below Anderson Ranch Dam. Strong midge and PMD hatches. Bull trout present; handle ca…
Rogue River
Oregon Active: Nov
Wild and Scenic River with famous steelhead and salmon runs. Spring Chinook and summer steelhead att…
Green River
Utah Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Renowned tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam. Sections A, B, and C offer different water types. Prolif…
Provo River
Utah Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Gold Medal tailwater from Jordanelle Reservoir through Provo Canyon. Midge and BWO year-round; PMD a…
San Juan River
New Mexico Active: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round Gold Medal tailwater with consistent flows below Navajo Dam. The Texas Hole no-kill stret…
Watauga River
Tennessee Active: Nov
Cold tailwater below Watauga Dam. Year-round fishery with strong sulphur, caddis, and yellow sally h…
Hat Creek
California Active: Oct
Spring-fed wild trout fishery below PG&E powerhouse. California Wild Trout Program water with artifi…
Fall River
California Active: Oct
Boat-access-only spring creek in the Fall River Valley. Flat, clear water with massive, selective wi…

How to fish the Midge

A Zebra Midge or RS2 nymph in sizes 20–24 under a small indicator. On the surface, a size 24–26 Griffith's Gnat. Light tippet (7X) is essential.

Frequently asked

When does the Midge hatch?

Peak emergence: January, February, March, October, November, December. Timing varies by elevation, latitude, and water temperature.

What flies match the Midge hatch?

Top patterns: Zebra Midge (size 18-24).

What rivers have a good Midge hatch?

Midge hatches are documented on 21 rivers including: Farmington River, Housatonic River, Salmon River, Deerfield River, Battenkill River and 16 more.

How do I fish the Midge hatch?

A Zebra Midge or RS2 nymph in sizes 20–24 under a small indicator. On the surface, a size 24–26 Griffith's Gnat. Light tippet (7X) is essential.

What is the Midge?

Midges hatch year-round and are the primary surface food on tailwaters through winter. Family: Diptera (Chironomidae).

Related

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