V-Rib Midge

A translucent V-rib chironomid built over a colored underbody, shown in a documented red version with clear-over-brown as an explained color substitution.

Flys and Guides labels red, clear, and clear-over-brown V-Rib Midges but does not give a dressing. Clackamas FlyFishers publishes a V-Rib Chironomid recipe and identifies red as a common color. This red version is the documented exemplar. Clear V-rib over brown thread is an editorial color substitution derived from the club’s underbody guidance, not a verified reading of the index photos.

At the vise: Beginner
Common sizes: #16–20

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From hook to fly

At the vise.

5 steps

Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.

Seat bead and gills
Slide a small white glass bead to the eye, mount the scud hook and secure a sparse white Antron tuft immediately behind the bead as forward gills.
Bench note Trim the Antron short enough to keep the eye visible.
Lay the colored underbody
Wind red thread down the curved shank to the bend, then return forward in even layers to create a smooth red underbody for the translucent rib.
Bench note Uneven thread ridges will show through the V-rib.
Anchor the vinyl rib
Tie the midge-size red V-rib at the rear of the body and bind its loose end along the thread underbody to avoid a raised starting point.
Bench note Keep the rounded side outward before starting the wrap.
Segment the abdomen
Wind the V-rib toward the bead in adjacent, untwisted turns so the translucent red body has regular raised segments; secure the end just behind the bead.
Bench note Gentle tension reduces gaps without flattening the vinyl profile.
Finish the head
Trim the rib waste, make a few tidy red thread wraps behind the bead and whip finish while keeping the Antron gills clear of the hook eye.
Bench note The source treats a peacock collar as optional; this version leaves it off.

Beyond the bench

On the water.

In stillwater, suspend the chironomid beneath an indicator or retrieve it very slowly to suggest a rising pupa. The club also describes drifting the small pupa in streams as a trailing dropper.

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