For all the thousands of different chironomid species found in lakes throughout the western US and Canada, there are many more times the number of patterns to imitate them. Beyond the various colors in the naturals you'll find on the lake, consider the same chironomid can take on a completely different look at various depths, lighting and water conditions.
Phil Rowley's Chromie pattern is a well-established producer, particularly when chironomids are advanced in their emergence and often take on a metallic silvery appearance. Blue has been all the rage in the last few years in nymphs, dries and the like, offering a new color option on the otherwise boring bug menu a trout encounters from day to day. I've always loved blue holographic flashabou and thought I'd experiment with it as a rib color on the Chromie a few years back and try it out. The Blue Chromie has proven to be really good at catching fish for me, especially when fishing deep or during low light periods.
Blue Chromie Recipe:
Hook: #10-#14 Tiemco 2457 or Daiichi 1120
Bead: 3/32" Black Nickel Tungsten (#12)
Thread: 70 Denier Black Ultra Thread
Gill: White Uni Stretch
Rib: Holographic Blue Flashabou #6993
Body: Gunmetal Flashabou #6916
Collar: 70 Denier Rusty Brown Ultra Thread