Maroon is a fairly common pupal colour. Similar fishing tactics to the Black and Red Ice Cream Cone.
The most intense chironomid emergences occur between about 10 AM and 4 PM during the day. The pupa take advantage of warming water temperatures hence the later morning start.
Material
Hook – Curved shrimp/pupa hook sizes #16-#8
Thread – Black 8/0 or 6/0 waxed
Tag – Red Holographic tinsel
Rib – fine red copper wire
Body – Black flashabou or Frostbite
Gills – White metal bead
Techniques and Equipment
Chironomid Pupa Without an Indicator (Naked)
Fly Line – WF6F
FloatingLeader – 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 Rio 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
