Thread Midge
Notes: The simplicity of this pattern, not fancy materials, is what attracts the fish. Start with the Gudebrod thread on the bobbin and begin wrapping the thread from the middle of the shank towards the eye (Leave plenty of room before the eye to whip finish the Gudebrod thread and build thorax with black 8/0 thread). Then, wrap the Gudebrod thread back to before the bend. This is where the key part of the fly begins. With the Gudebrod thread at the bend, spin your bobbing clockwise so the thread becomes tightly wound. This gives the body of the fly a segmented look. Then, wrap back up the shank to before the eye. The starting position of the Gudebrod thread in the center of the shank is important, the position of the starting thread determines the amount of taper in the body of the fly. The simplicity of the segmented body (created by the twist of the Gudebrod thread) and the subtle taper of the fly are its best attributes. Whip finish the Gudebrod and start the black UTC 8/0 behind the eye. Build up a semi-pronounced thorax with the UTC and whip finish it. Finish the fly by lacquering the thorax/head with two coats of head cement.