Cross-Dresser (Midge+Mayfly)
FF&W reader and fly tyer, Leng, recently sent me an email and asked about the Cross-Dresser fly design that I had in the Modern Midges book project. Specifically, Leng wanted to know about the wing and other aspects of the fly, since the photo in the book is from only one angle and there are no significant tying instructions.
The illustration above shows the basic elements of the fly, including the “V-Wing” design. The trick with the V-Wing is to simply use one piece of material to make both wings (Z-lon, sparkle yarn, SST, etc. can all work). Just pull the material up under the hook as shown, and tie it down. One can tie it down (and add dubbing, etc.) in such a way that the wing(s) point more to the back, more to the front, or more straight-up. The wings can also be positoned more fore or aft on the hook shank. Experiment to find what you like.
Also keep in mind that this technique can be used to quickly create a parachute post, too (just tie it down and reenforce it so that the “V” becomes an “I”. This V-Wing technique is a simple trick that I learned a long time ago, but it’s one that I still use for many of my own “winged” patterns (as well as “cripples” and emergers).
The rest of fly is pretty simple, with a Z-lon, sparkle yarn or SST trailing shuck, a dubbed body (that uses a light olive and light gray 50/50 dubbing blend to mimic an array of midges and mayflies), and a palmered, dun-colored hackle, clipped on the bottom. Modify as necessary.
Many readers will recognize the Cross-Dresser as having its roots in the venerable Griffith’s Gnat, and that’s exactly right. I typically carry both in my boxes. Here’s a quote about the fly, part of which can be found in Modern Midges:
The Cross Dresser (Winged) is an extension of the venerable (and highly effective) Griffith’s Gnat. This pattern adds a shuck, a V-wing, and a body color that allows the fly to work well during many midge and mayfly hatches (that’s the cross-dresser part). Like many effective midge patterns, this fly is fairly minimal and impressionistic.
If you’re on the E-List, I’m including the full pattern description in this week’s mailing…
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Jason,
I was also wondering about the V-wing in Modern Midge. Cross-dresser I saw at your father’s article (“Film Flies” in fly-fisherman maybe two years ago) was without wing, which was more like a Griffith’s Gnat with a trailing shuck. I tied that one. And now I will tie some that you are showing here. I really appreciate that you show us a little tying skill, under tha hook for v-wing.
Satoshi—I used to fish the C-D without wings (mostly as a modified GG), but the V-Wing is so simple to do (and can be cut down or even cut off while fishing), that the pattern has evolved for me. Try the V-Wing and see how it works for you…
Hi Jason, Could you check your e-list to make sure I am on it. I know we have been e-mailing each other but I have not received anything recently.
Thanks,
Bill
Bill—Will do. The next mailing is set for tomorrow (Saturday), so I’ll be in the system tonight checking the list anyway…
I have read in a number of sources and heard from many anglers the description of the Griffith’s Gnat as a “collection” of midges. In thinking about what the GG looks like from below (the hackle holding the peacock body in the film), it always seemed to me that body would be the single midge emerger/cripple. In reading what you posted here, and also picturing what the fly looks like from below, am I interpreting your perspective correctly that it is not a collection of midges, but a one-to-one fly imitation?
BeeTea—When I see fish taking midge clumps, or just getting crazy in the midge chow-line, a bigger GG (like a size 12) or similar fly is often a “first try” pattern for me. There are pretty slick “midge clump” patterns out there, but the GG is still a great standby. The multitude of hackle fibers can look like the legs of many insects (all at once), and the peacock body provides a strong silhouette that might be interpreted as a group of midges mating/close together/emerging/etc.
Here’s the key phrase in that: “might be interpreted.”
I am no fish, and neither is anyone else. If the fish interprets my size 12 GG as midge clump (well, as its current food source, fish not caring a whole lot about terms like midge, or buzzer or chironomid), then great. If a fish interprets my size 22 GG as a single midge, then great (especially if I that’s the interpretation that I thought was correct). If the fish interprets them both as emerging midges, rather than adults, and gives either one a chomp, then great. Now, I know and you know that we can get pretty good at seeing what’s going on and tie on a fly that can help us best solve the interpretation riddle. In some cases, a clump-style fly may be a solid bet (for various reasons), in other cases, a fly that looks (and/or is sized) more like a single insect, or perhaps a couple of insects, may be the better choice. We can take that a step further and do something like clip a GG flush on the bottom to change the appearance in the film, or even fish it “damp,” with no floatant, to get it to ride just under the surface, perhaps lending a slightly different “interpretation.”
In the case of the Cross-Dresser, I want the fly to look enough like a lot of “buggy” things (especially mayflies and midges) to convince the fish to take it. In other words, an interpretation that could say “mayfly,” “midge clump,” or in smaller sizes “small mayfly” or “single midge (or perhaps a couple).” If I need to, I may just get out my handy folding scissors that I keep in my vest or pack and cut the trailing shuck off the fly. Or I may cut the excess hackle off, leaving just the shuck, the wings, and the thorax hackle. As long as I get the right interpretation from the fish, I’m happy.
So, that may or may not have answered your question. Actually, I think I dodged it somewhat by using the “weasel-word” approach. But, in fishing, sometimes it’s the weasel word interpretation that gives us the best success… ;-)