Tying the Quill Midge Starling Soft Hackle Emerger: Beauty, Simplicity, and Adventure Await

The journey and adventure doesn’t always start on the water, sometimes it starts as you sit at the vise working to create a masterpiece sure to entice the most warry of fish.  As you carefully wrap your thread and work carefully selected materials you begin to create a new story leading to your next great adventure on the water.  Often times simplicity yields the most beautiful works of art that can be deadly effective at enticing fish to feed, and the Quill Midge Starling Soft Hackle Emerger does just that. This fly is an adventure waiting to happen with every wrap to every cast on the water.

Why the Quill Midge Emerger is a Must-Tie Pattern

This pattern is highly versatile and deadly effective.  The simple elegance combined with its lifelike look and attributes really breathe life and movement into this pattern. All this combined into one fly helps to entice fish with the fine details and movement know to drive fish crazy, and particularly during a midge hatch where fish will key in on the vulnerable emerging Midges rising to hatch off the waters surface.  This patterns stand out features include:

• Quill Body: The natural segmentation of the quill gives the fly a realistic, sleek profile that perfectly mimics an emerging midge.
• Pine Squirrel Dubbing Thorax: This subtle yet effective touch adds a soft texture and natural sheen, mimicking the transitional phase of an emerging insect.
• Starling Soft Hackle: The soft, wispy fibers breathe life into the fly, pulsating with movement whether on a swing or drift.

Quill Midge Starling Soft Hackle Emerger Fly Tying Tutorial:

Quill Midge Starling Soft Hackle Emerger Materials List:

• Hook: Moonlit Premium TOGATTA ML102 sz16-20
• Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed 12/0 Red
• Body: Semperfli Perfect Quill Clear Med/or Small
• Thorax: Moonlit Fly Fishing Pine Squirrel Dubbing Black
• Hackle: Starling
• UV Resin: Solarez Bone Dry
• UV Pen: Moonlit Fly Fishing Quick Dry UV Pen

Fishing the Quill Midge Emerger

The versatility of this pattern is truly where the fun begins.  Fished on its own this pattern is an effective weapon in any North Country Spider or Soft Hackle  enthusiast’s arsenal.  However it’s true potential comes fishing it in a two fly set up either trailing behind a dry fly or an anchor bead head nymph.

• The Soft Hackle Swing: Cast across or downstream, let the Quill Midge drift naturally as the hackle fibers pulse in the current. This traditional technique brings the fly to life and often results in aggressive strikes.
• Trail it Behind a Dry Fly: Pair the Quill Midge with your favorite midge dry fly pattern to target both surface feeders and those just beneath. As the dry fly acts as an indicator, the soft hackle trails enticingly in the film.
• Anchor it with a Bead Head Nymph: Add the Quill Midge as a secondary fly to your nymph rig. While the bead head explores deeper zones, the emerger dances just above, covering multiple feeding areas at once.  Experience the thrill of aggressive strikes at the end of your drift as the flies begin to rise mimicking an emerging insect.

Each method not only increases your odds but also adds an element of strategy to your fishing experience. There’s nothing quite like feeling that tug and knowing it’s on the fly you tied yourself.

The Adventure Awaits

Fly fishing for many isn’t just about catching fish, but the whole journey from tying your own flies, picking the right pattern, your surroundings, all leading to catching fish that become etched in memory for a lifetime.  Tying and fishing the Quill Midge Emerger is isn’t just about sure to bring to life the adventure. It’s the thrill of crafting a pattern that mirrors nature, the excitement of reading water to find feeding trout, and the satisfaction of fooling a wary fish with your own creation. Whether you’re working a glassy tailwater or the riffles of a freestone river, this fly will become a trusted companion in your box.

Tie Your Own

Tying the Quill Midge Emerger is a rewarding process, even for novice fly tiers. Its straightforward design allows for creativity with materials while staying true to the pattern’s essence. Use natural-colored quills for subtlety or try dyed quills to match your local hatch. The starling soft hackle adds a touch of classic elegance, making each finished fly a tiny masterpiece.

With its combination of beauty, simplicity, and effectiveness, the Quill Midge Starling Soft Hackle Emerger is more than just a fly—it’s an invitation to explore the water, connect with nature, and create unforgettable fishing memories. Tie a few today, and let the adventure begin!