Griffith’s Gnat

Being a fairly simple pattern, the Griffith’s Gnat can be frustrating if you try to change things up and make it your own. Don’t allow this to stop you because there are some really great tricks to try that will produce a serious amount of fish. Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

• Articulation: The Griffith’s Gnat has a neat property in that it can imitate both a single midge or a midge cluster depending on the size and how you tie it. Adding a second “Griffith’s Gnat” can be a fantastic way to resemble a midge cluster that has just a little space in between mating clusters. If you choose to articulate this pattern, keep in mind that you will need to attach a fully tied Griffith’s Gnat to a bare hook using monofilament before you tie up the lead fly.
• Segmentation: Spacing of your hackle fibers greatly changes how this fly floats and also can lead to a more desired level of precision. In general, fewer hackle wraps imitates a smaller number of midges, but is less buoyant. More hackle wraps lends itself to imitate more of a midge cluster and allows your fly to float better.
• Thorax variation: Adding a few small wraps of ostrich herl at the head of this fly can be a good way to break free of the patterns other anglers generally use.
• “Hot Butt”: Red Krystal Flash or red/pink thread at the back of this fly can be a good way to invoke a more predatory response, but may also elicit refusals in streams where fish are incredibly spooky (i.e. spring creeks).