The midge hatch might not seem glamorous, but it’s one of Maine’s only true year-round fly fishing opportunities. From the icy flows of January to the first warm days of May, midges keep trout and salmon feeding when little else is available. Landlocked salmon and brook trout—whether a 10-inch sprinter or a 20-inch East Outlet bruiser—can’t ignore them for long.
It’s said that a 10” salmon might eat 500 midges in a day, while a 20” salmon could eat one 6” brook trout in the same time. In terms of energy spent versus energy captured, midges aren’t worth the effort for big fish. But when there isn’t much else on the menu, even the giants will sip a size 20 midge if you drift it just right.
For anglers chasing the coveted “20/20 fish” (a 20”+ fish on a size 20 or smaller fly), the October–May season is prime time to break out your tiny tippets.
Understanding Midges
Midges are a massive group of tiny insects. Some are barely visible “No-See-Ums,” while others resemble small mosquitoes. A few bite, some sip nectar, and many don’t eat at all. Life cycles are often short—some can hatch in the morning and lay eggs by evening.
Because they’re so common, fish are rarely far from midges. The key is matching the stage of life they’re feeding on: nymph, pupa, or adult.
Nymphing with Midges
Flies (size 16–26):
- Zebra Midge
- WD-40
- Rainbow Warrior
Midge nymphs are simple worm-like imitations. I like to rig them beneath a heavier anchor fly, like a Copper John, to get them down quickly. Start with a size 18 zebra midge. If that doesn’t draw strikes, drop to a size 20, and on small brook trout waters, go all the way to size 26.
Tips:
- Experiment with color while searching.
- Make sure your flies are ticking bottom every few casts—if not, adjust your depth.
Fishing Midge Pupae
Flies (size 16–26):
- Juju Bee Midge
- Disco Midge
- Brassie
Midge pupae swim up and down in the water column before hatching. When fishing nymphs, let your drift swing upward at the end—imitating the vulnerable rise of a pupa to the surface.
If fish are rising, try the dry-dropper method: tie a pupa imitation behind an adult midge dry fly. The dry fly serves as both an attractor and an indicator—if it twitches, set the hook.
Fishing Adult Midges
Flies (size 16–26):
- Griffith’s Gnat
- Matt’s Midge
- Parachute Adams
Adult midges can be tough to see. To make life easier, use the dry-dry dropper technique: tie on a more visible fly like a Griffith’s Gnat, then add a tiny midge imitation 18” behind it. The larger fly helps track the smaller one.
When Fish Are Finicky
Sometimes fish just won’t eat. More often, they’ve simply detected your presence.
- Size down your tippet in smooth, clear water.
- Start fishing close and work your way out to avoid drifting line over feeding fish.
- Move slowly and quietly—sometimes even waiting a few minutes for fish to resume feeding makes all the difference.
Handling Tiny Flies: Pro Tips
- Snap rings make switching small flies quick and painless.
- Threader boxes let you pre-load multiple flies—just pull your tippet through the loop for easy threading.
- Hemostats give you something to grip when fingers can’t hold tiny hooks.
Closing Thoughts
This winter and spring, I’m looking forward to swinging midges for salters on warm, sunny days. If you’re searching for winter fly fishing in Maine, waters try reading this post about places in Maine to fish.
https://horizonlineadventures.com/2023/02/05/fly-fishing-southern-maine-rivers/
And if you’d like to sharpen your midge techniques—or target a trophy East Outlet salmon during the fall spawn—you can book a guided trip with Horizon Line Adventures at www.horizonlineadventures.com.
