“Not a dry fly. Not a nymph. Not an emerger. Not black. Not brown. Not a redfin fly.“

Paul Fedeles’ Blue “Nota” Midge fly is a unique and intriguing addition to the world of fly fishing. This innovative fly doesn’t fit into conventional categories; it’s neither a dry fly, nymph, an emerger, nor a redfin fly.

Its distinctiveness lies in its striking dark blue colour, setting it apart from the more traditional black or brown flies. With its unconventional characteristics, the Blue “Nota” Midge fly challenges anglers to think outside the box and experiment with new techniques to entice even the most selective trout.

Materials

• Hook – Size 10 scud
• Bead – Nickel 7/64
• Thread – Black sheer 14/0
• Tail – Black make-up brush fibres
• Body – Metallic blue DMC thread
• Ribbing – Really fine silver wire
• Gill buds – White poly yarn
• Hackle – Brown or black size 16 saddle hackle

Tying Instructions

1. Crush the barb and add the bead.
2. Cover the hook with thread back past the end of the hook.

3. Cut a tail from the make-up brush the width of the eye.
4. Trim the tail to the length of the shank.
5. Tie in above the point of the hook.
6. Wrap it all the way past the bend of the hook.

7. Tie in the fine silver wire above the point of the hook and back to the tail.
8. Take the DMC thread apart. You should get five strands of thread. Use one.
9. Tie in the DMC thread behind the eye and back to the tail.

10. Bring the thread back to the bead and half-hitch. Put in your bobbin holder.
11. Wrap the thread back to the bead using uniform touching wraps.
12. Tie in off with two wraps behind the head and two in the front. Trim.

13. Reverse rib the body with the silver wire.
14. Tie it off and trim the wire.

15. Take the poly yarn, brush it out and split it until the yarn is the same width as the bead.
16. Tie in the gill buds on top of the hook. Trim about the width of the bead.

17. Tie in the size 16 saddle hackle and make three turns.
18. Tie it off and three-turn whip finish.