Zebra Midge BH - Olive

The Natural Zebra Midge — Olive for Clear Water and Selective Trout

The Zebra Midge BH in Olive is the most imitative colorway of the classic Zebra Midge — an olive thread body with silver wire ribbing that closely matches the natural coloration of midge pupae and small Baetis nymphs in Colorado's rivers. Where the black Zebra Midge excels as a high-contrast pattern in low-light and off-color conditions, the olive version shines in clear water and bright conditions when trout can see every detail of the fly and are keyed on the natural color of the naturals they're eating.

The bead head adds a focal point that draws the trout's eye and provides just enough weight to get the fly into the feeding zone. Available in #18, #20, and #22 to cover the smallest midge and Baetis sizes on the Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, and Colorado River — the size range where selective tailwater trout are most often feeding. This is the pattern to reach for when the black version slows down and fish are being picky about color.

Pattern Details

• Style: Bead head midge pupa imitation
• Color: Olive with silver wire ribbing — natural match for midge and Baetis coloration
• Sizes available: #18, #20, #22
• Bead: Bead head — moderate sink rate, subtle weight
• Body: Olive thread with silver wire rib — slim, segmented midge profile
• Imitates midge pupae and small Baetis nymphs in natural olive coloration
• Effective on the Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Colorado River, and most Colorado tailwaters
• Works year-round; best in clear water and bright light conditions

How to Fish It

Dead-drift under an indicator or on a tight line at mid-depth through seams, runs, and pools where midges concentrate. Reach for the olive version on clear, sunny days and in low, clear water when trout are being most selective about color — the natural olive body matches the naturals more closely than black in these conditions. Fish it as a single fly or pair it with a black Zebra Midge, RS2, or Rainbow Warrior as a dropper in a two-fly rig.

Available in store at Glenwood Springs Outdoors, 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO.