Zebra Midge
Also called Zebra midge nymph
A Zebra Midge is a small, slim midge-larva or pupa imitation, usually tied with a ribbed body and a bead. It’s a common choice for trout feeding on tiny insects.
- Group
- Nymph patterns
- Category
- Flies & fly types
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Freshwater
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What Zebra Midge means
Most Zebra Midges are simple: a thin thread body, a contrasting wire rib, and a small bead at the head. Black with silver rib is the classic look, but red, olive, and other colors show up in fly bins everywhere.
It’s fished as a subsurface nymph on a light leader. Many anglers run it as the small “dropper” behind a larger nymph, or as one of two small flies on a short tag. It works in rivers and stillwaters anywhere midges are part of the menu.
Why it matters on the water
Midges are available to trout through much of the year, and they’re often small. Having a fly that matches that size and profile helps on days when fish ignore bigger nymphs.
The Zebra Midge also helps with depth control and drift. A bead adds weight without bulk, and the slim body sinks cleanly, so it’s easier to keep the fly near the bottom while still looking like a tiny insect.
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Read next
- BeadheadA beadhead is a fly tied with a metal or tungsten bead at the front. The bead adds weight and a little flash, helping a nymph sink and ride hook-point down.
- Clinch knotA clinch knot is a simple knot for tying tippet or leader to a fly’s eye. It’s quick to tie and common for dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers.
- PerdigonA Perdigon is a slim, heavily weighted nymph with a smooth, glossy body (often UV resin) built to sink fast and track near the bottom.
- Pheasant Tail NymphA slim, buggy nymph pattern tied with pheasant tail fibers, usually to imitate mayfly nymphs. It’s a standard “search” nymph for trout and other freshwater fish.