Fly of the Week with @anna_on_the_fly | Jujubee Midge
by Anna on the Fly • December 20, 2022 in Fly Fishing Tips and Techniques, Anna's Fly of the Week
@anna_on_the_fly is on the water constantly. She is constantly trying new things -- new flies, new techniques, and new gear. We are grateful that she's an Ambassador for DiscountFlies. And, we're grateful that she shares her knowledge and adventures with us here in the "Fly of the Week" (or month during the "off" season) Column.
December 20th 2022
FLY OF THE WEEK!! This weekend we were spoiled catching close to 40 fish combined with the fly of the week- the “Jujubee Midge”(zebra) brining at least half of them to the net, including this beauty 😍
Let me tell you - I got the “one last cast” that is the reason for “one last cast”! I was SHOCKED to hook into this beautiful cutbow on my last cast but not shocked it went for one of my first “confidence flies”
A few years ago I got back into fly fishing at the end of October and although my timing wasn’t the best, my determination was there but I had a lot of days on the water - SKUNKED!
However, unknowing of tailwaters and technical water, one frigid winter day we went to a partial frozen- know known to me as a very technical stream- and saw tons of fish podded up in pockets of gin clear water. I threw this funky fly on and went after it - quickly pulling out fish after fish, breaking my slump. I probably fished with a Jujubee Midge or variation for the rest of that winter, into Spring & even summer because IT WORKS!!
Charley Craven designed this fly for picky fish and I can attest that it’ll absolutely fool the smartest of trout and lots of fish in between! But it’s especially effective during a hatch, if I see a midge hatch or see fish rising and don’t see any bugs I ALWAYS throw on a Jujubee. Sunday was no different, there was a strong hatch most of the day and nearly every other cast we had a fish on!!
The Jujubee imitates a midge shedding its nymphal shuck and due to its slim profile and sparse materials it can be fished as a nymph or as an emerger but I have most success using it as my last fly, getting strikes as it’s tumbling along the river bottom and on the swing as it rises in the water column
The contrasting colors make a life like segmented body that is a strong characteristic of midges. The zebra pattern was the go to Sunday as well as Olive and Red but there are several color variations so don’t be afraid to try new things!
Remember it’s winter so - go small! Size 20-22 👌🏼 you can even use a size 18 as an attractor when fish are wary of larger patterns. Link in bio 🤙🏼
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