Rojo Midge

The Rojo Midge is one of those flies that quietly outproduces everything else in your box on the toughest days. A simple red thread body with fine wire ribbing imitates the larval stage of midges — the single most abundant food source in most trout streams. When nothing's hatching, when the water is cold, when the fish seem to have lockjaw, a Rojo Midge dead-drifted near the bottom will still get eaten.

Midges hatch 365 days a year on most trout water, which makes this a true year-round producer. It's especially lethal in winter and early spring when other aquatic insects are dormant and trout have nothing else to eat. The small size intimidates some anglers, but the fish that eat it aren't small — trophy trout feed on midges all day long.

When to Fish It

Year-round, but it's at its best from November through March when midge larvae are the primary food source. Fish it deep under an indicator, as the bottom fly in a two-nymph euro rig, or suspended just below the surface during a midge emergence. Sizes 18-22 are standard. Use 5X-7X tippet and set the hook gently — the takes are often subtle.

Specs

• Type: Nymph — Midge larva imitation
• Hook: Fine wire hook, sharp point
• Weight: Unweighted — fish with split shot or below a weighted fly
• Best for: Trout — tailwaters, spring creeks, freestone streams
• Technique: Indicator nymphing, euro nymphing, midge dropper rig

Why Anglers Stock This Fly

Midges are the one food source trout never stop eating. Having a solid midge pattern isn't optional — it's essential. The Rojo Midge is simple, cheap, and catches fish when nothing else will. Carry a handful in sizes 18-22 and you'll never be without an option on a slow day. Hand-tied with quality materials by tiers with over 30 years of experience.

🎣 Fish a lot of midges? Check out our Zebra Midge and Chironomid Pupa for more midge options.