Ice Cream Cone
The Ice Cream Cone is a chironomid pupa with a red body and white bead or gill, a must-have for stillwater trout and tailwater midge fishing. It supports Ice Cream Cone fly pattern, chironomid pupa fly, red midge pupa, and best stillwater trout flies.
Imitates: Chironomid midge pupa
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #12-18
- Best Season
- Year-round, especially spring stillwaters
- Best Conditions
- Lakes, reservoirs, tailwaters, and slow deep pools
- Water Temp
- 38-58°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 5X-6X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Hang under an indicator at the depth trout are cruising, often 1-2 feet off bottom.
How to Present It
Nearly motionless. Let wind drift it slowly and make tiny hand-twist retrieves.
Why It Works
Chironomids are a dominant trout food in lakes, and the red body with white head is a high-confidence pupa profile.
History
The Ice Cream Cone became a standard stillwater chironomid across western North America.
Pro Tip
Set depth carefully. A perfect chironomid one foot above fish is ignored; one at eye level gets eaten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Ice Cream Cone a midge?+
Yes. It imitates a chironomid, which is a stillwater midge pupa.
Not sure if Ice Cream Cone is right today?
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