Midges

Many trout feed actively on the midge hatches during the winter
Many trout feed actively on the midge hatches during the winter

Sitting in my fly shop I get cabin fever as I look out my office window at the snow along the banks of Big Stoney Creek. Just for the heck of it, I grabbed my coat and walked 1/2 block to the bridge over the stream. As I expected the ice had formed along both banks out over 1/3 of the stream. What I did not expect was to see the trout feeding on midges in the open middle 1/3 of the stream. Some were sipping the adults from the surface of the stream while others were taking the emergers as they swam to the surface.

If you are willing to fight the cold weather this can be very exciting fishing.

The use of barbless flies helps you catch many midge feeders. Watch our video to see the easy way to mash down the hook barbs.

For additional information on midge fishing listen to my podcast..Chironomid Midge Trout Fishing