Designed to imitate the gas trapped beneath the cuticle(outer skin) of the chironomid pupa, hence the silvery appearance. Typically the chironomid pupa traps more gas, or becomes more silvery in appearance as it rises to the surface of the lake to emerge into the adult stage. Use of a throat pump is key to verifying size and colour of the chironomid pupa being selected. Remember, there can be multiple species of chironomids emerging at the same time on the same day. Trout are not colour blind so they can select certain colours and sizes.
Chromie can be fished all through the prime months of chironomid emergences and it can be effective in the fall periods just like the black and red ice cream cone as the fish recognize the pupa even though there may not be any emerging. They have seen and eaten enough of them earlier in the season.
Material
Hook – Curved shrimp/pupa hook sizes #16-#8
Thread – Black 8/0 or 6/0 waxed
Rib – Red Holographic tinsel
Body – Silver Holographic tinsel
Thorax – Peacock herl
Gills – White Antron
Bead – Black metal bead
Techniques and Equipment
Chironomid Pupa Without Indicator (Naked)
Fly Line – WF6F Floating
Leader – 18 feet in length with 5 pound tippet
Depth anchored – 12 feet
Retrieve – very slow hand twist with short quick strips interspersed
Chironomid pupa with indicator
Fly line – WF6F – floating
Leader – 15 feet long with 5 pound tippet
Depth anchored – 13 feet
Technique – pupa suspended 12 feet below indicator
Strike indicator – Thill brand
Chironomid Pupa Sinking Line Technique
Fly Line – WF6I – clear intermediate/slow sinker
Anchored in 27 feet of water
Line sink rate @ 2.5 inches/sec
Wait time – 2.5 minutes to ensure chironomid pupa is at lake bottom before initiating retrieve
Retrieve – very slow hand twist
Leader – 7 – 9 feet with 5 pound tippet
Note : can use type 2 to type 5 sinking lines to fish this technique. The faster sinking lines reduces the amount of time you have to wait for the fly to get to the lake bottom.
Depth sounder critical to this technique
