The pattern notebook · nymph
Cardinal Midge
How do you tie a Cardinal Midge?
Cardinal Midge is a nymph fly pattern for trout. Find its 4 materials and 17 tying steps below.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5
- Target species
- trout
- Pattern designer
- KeamsCatch
Added to catalog · Updated
At the vise
Materials
- Hook: TMC 200R #20
- Thread: UTC 70 Denier Red
- Thread: UTC 140 Denier White
- UV Resin
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Tying instructions
Secure the hook in the vise.
Start the red thread just behind the eye of the hook.
Wrap the red thread back to just behind the hook's index point.
Tie in the 140 denier white thread.
Wrap the red thread forward over the white thread down to the hook bend, forming a smooth, even base.
Return the red thread forward to the index point with tight, concentric wraps, creating a clean thread body.
Grab the bobbin with the white thread and spin it counter-clockwise to cord it up.
Wrap the white thread forward in tight spiraling turns up to the index point.
Secure the white thread with three to four tight wraps of red thread.
Cut away the excess white thread.
Build a slightly swollen thorax with the red thread.
Whip finish and clip the thread.
Apply a small amount of resin to the thorax and cure it with a UV light.
Apply a very light coat of resin along the back of the fly, wiping away any excess with your finger or bobbin. This allows the white rib to soak up the resin and subtly blend into the body.
Cure the resin with your UV light.
Trim the remaining white thread to about half a millimeter.
Using your finger, gently tease out the fibers to form the gills.