Tying the Mole Midge: A Minimalist Fly with Maximum Effect

The Mole Midge, designed by Charlie Craven, is a simple yet incredibly effective pattern that imitates emerging midges or small mayflies. Its minimalist design and lifelike presentation make it a go-to fly for trout, especially during midge hatches. In this guide, we’ll cover the recipe, cost, history, and techniques for fishing the Mole Midge.

The Recipe

The Mole Midge uses just a few materials, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned tiers alike. Here’s what you’ll need:

Hook: Curved-shank emerger hook, sizes 18–24 (e.g., Tiemco TMC 2487).
Thread: Black 8/0 or 16/0.
Body: Stripped peacock quill or Polish quill.
Wing: Natural dun CDC (Cul de Canard) feather.
Coating: Thin UV resin (optional, for durability).

Tying Steps:

Secure the hook in your vise and start the thread at the eye, wrapping a base layer down to the bend.
Prepare a natural dun CDC feather and tie it in at the bend, letting it extend beyond the hook.
Tie in a stripped peacock quill at the base of the wing and wrap it forward in touching turns to create a smooth body.
Apply a thin layer of UV resin to the body for durability and cure it with a UV light.
Create a small thread head, whip finish, and trim any excess thread.

Cost of Materials

The Mole Midge is an affordable pattern to tie. Here’s an estimate of material costs from Canadian fly shops:

Hooks: $7.95 for 25 hooks, approximately $0.32 per hook.
Thread: $3.29 per spool, with a per-fly cost of $0.03.
Body Material: $3.95 per pack of peacock quills, with a per-fly cost of $0.20.
Wing Material: $5.95 per pack of CDC feathers, with a per-fly cost of $0.30.
Coating: $15.00 per bottle of UV resin, with an estimated per-fly cost of $0.50.

Total Cost for Six Flies: Around $5.62 CAD, or $0.94 per fly.

A Brief History

Created by renowned fly tier Charlie Craven, the Mole Midge was designed to imitate midges and small mayflies in their emerger stage. Its slender profile and CDC wing perfectly mimic insects trapped in the surface film, making it irresistible to trout. This pattern has become a favorite among anglers targeting selective fish during hatches.

How to Fish the Mole Midge

The Mole Midge excels in conditions where trout are feeding on emergers. Follow these tips for success:

Rigging: Fish it as a dropper behind a dry fly or as a solo emerger pattern on a fluorocarbon leader.
Presentation: Allow the fly to drift naturally in the surface film to imitate a struggling insect.
Best Conditions: Ideal during midge or small mayfly hatches, especially on calm waters.
Variations: Experiment with body colors and CDC wing lengths to match local hatches.

Why the Mole Midge?

The Mole Midge’s minimalist design and realistic presentation make it a highly effective fly for selective trout. Its simplicity in tying and versatility on the water ensure it earns a permanent spot in any fly box. Whether you’re fishing still waters or tailwaters, this fly is a proven performer.

Grab your materials, tie a few Mole Midges, and experience the satisfaction of fooling finicky trout with this brilliant pattern!