Nymphs: Step-by-step fly tying instructions. 

Firebug Midge created by Anthony Giaquinto and Martin Bawden.

The Firebug™ Midge is an improved Zebra-style beadhead midge fly pattern that can be tied in a variety of different natural and attractor color options for any fishing situation. This proven fish-catcher is the perfect point fly for multi-nymph and dropper rigs and should have a place in every angler's fly box. The fly is simple and quick to tie and uses a minimum amount of materials. The various FlyColor™ anodized brass bead colors combined with matching body colors allow you to mimic the wide range of midge pupa colors found in nature such as black, red, tan, brown, cream, gray, green, and various olive tones. In addition to being highly effective on trout, you will find the Firebug bringing you success with crappie, bluegill and other warm water species.

Color variations

Red: Bloodworm red bead, red body, silver wire.
Ruby: Bloodworm red bead, wine body, silver wire.
Black: Stonefly black bead, black body, silver wire
Brown: Mayfly brown bead, brown body, copper wire.
Tan: Mayfly brown bead, golden body, copper wire.
Pink: Shrimp pink bead, grey/pink body, wine wire.
Black & blue: Steelhead blue bead, black body, silver wire.
Blue: Steelhead blue bead, silver doctor blue body, blue wire.
Orange: Copper bead, burnt orange body, wine wire.
Gold: Stonefly gold bead, yellow body, black wire.
Olive: Baetis green-olive bead, olive body, black wire.
Chartreuse: Caddis green bead, light green body, chartreuse wire.

Fly tying materials

Note: There are 12 defined color combinations in the Firebug range. Change the colors of materials as necessary. The following fly tying recipe is for the brown Firebug.

Hook: Daiichi 1130 or similar Size #18 or #20. 
Bead: Nymph-Head® FlyColor™ brass bead; mayfly brown, 2.0mm (5/64').
Thread: Uni 8/0, brown.
Body: Uni Floss, golden brown. 
Ribbing: UltraWire, extra-small, copper.

Fly tying instructions

Step 1

Put the bead on the hook and secure the hook in the vise.

Step 2

Start the thread directly behind the bead and wrap to the end of the hook. Use tight, even wraps, but try not to overlap them. Your goal should be to create an under body that is as smooth as possible. The Firebug is a small fly and it's easy to add too much bulk to the fly. It takes some practice, but strive to use the fewest possible number of wraps to achieve a slim tapered midge body

Step 3

Tie in the wire and secure on top of the hook with tight thread wraps all the way to the starting point directly behind the bead.

Step 4

Tie in the Uni Floss and secure on top of the hook with thread wraps to the back of the hook. Wrap back your thread to the starting point behind the bead.

Step 5

Wrap the Uni Floss forward to create a smooth, slightly tapered body. Tie off and trim the floss behind the bead.

Step 6

Wrap the wire forward to create a neat segmented body. This should be done using six or seven turns of the wire. Tie off the wire behind the bead.

Step 7

Create a neat collar behind the bead using several wraps of thread. Whip finish, cut the thread, and complete the fly with a small spot of head cement or Hard-As-Nails to seal the thread wraps. Now go catch a fish!