Skip to main content

Black and White Midges and Baetis for Overcast Days

Spring means black and white midge and baetis flies.

Black and White Midges and Baetis for Overcast Days
Black and White

Spring is here which means black and white midges and Baetis are hatching and warm overcast days are the things dreams are made of (hatch wise). Overcast conditions cause hatching insects to spend more time on the water drying their wings before flying away. This makes them more vulnerable for a longer period of time, add that to the fact that low light conditions make Trout less spooky and you have the ultimate conditions for a mid-day hatch extravaganza. There is one drawback to overcast conditions, flies are harder to see due to the reduced light. Glare is everywhere, and seeing your favorite pattern, even if it is a parachute can be quite daunting. The cure; a black wing. Black is the easiest color to silhouette against the glaring gray surface of the water. Replace the white, dun or hi-vis wing on your favorite pattern with a solid black wing. A pattern sporting a black wing is the easiest to locate on the water. Try it out, I look forward to your successful fish stories.

Black and white midge and baetis flies.
Black and white midge and baetis flies.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
How-To/Techniques

How to Fight Trout Effectively and Get them in the Net Quickly

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
News

Patagonia Advocates for Dam Removal

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Destinations/Species

Science in the Thorofare

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie the Picky Eater Perdigon

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...

Fly Fishing the Plunge Pools of Yosemite Falls

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Gear

Scientific Anglers Launches Reimagined Tropical Saltwater Fly Lines

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Gear

Check Out Grundens' New Vector Wader!

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Gear

Fly Fishing the Plunge Pools of Yosemite Falls (trailer)

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Gear

Fly Fusion Trout Tour Sizzle Reel

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
Gear

Introducing Orvis's New 4th Generation Helios Fly Rod

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
How-To/Techniques

How to Tie Dorsey's Top Secret Baetis Fly

Indigenous people and salmon have been intertwined for thousands of years in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, kids learn from...
News

Orvis Presents “School of Fish” Full Film

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Fly Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now