New Gazoline Chironomid - Stillwater

Chironomid: New Gazoline

This chironomid is a minimalist and highly effective pattern for stillwater fly fishing.

For this tie, I use a Hanak H 300 BL hook in size 12: its curve is perfectly suited to chironomids, and it is very strong.

The fly requires only Veevus 8/0 black tying thread and New Gazoline 0.6 mm tinsel.

It is an easy fly to tie, but it does require careful tinsel wraps: aim for perfectly even turns for the best finish.

Tying steps

- Secure the Hanak H 300 BL hook in the vise.

- Start your Veevus 8/0 tying thread just behind the eye.

- Wrap in touching turns down to the bend.

- Tie in the 0.6 mm tinsel and wrap back up toward the eye with even wraps. You can make a second pass if you want to slightly bulk up the body.

- Then wrap the tinsel in open turns (as in the photo), up to the tying thread positioned behind the eye, then lock it down with the thread.

- Build the chironomid's black head; feel free to make it a bit larger than in the photo.

- Finish with a whip finish and cut the thread.

- Finish with one or two coats of thin UV resin for a glossy, durable body.