Mathews Griffith's Gnat Emerger (variation) SBS

[ScottP]

Craig Mathews merged a Griffith's Gnat front end with the back of his Zelon Emerger. Cool fly but still a b.tch to see; I swapped in a Hacklestacker/hi-vis post.

hook - Dai Riki 125 #20
thread - Uni 8/0 olive dun
shuck - Congo Hair dun
abdomen - tying thread
thorax - peacick herl
hackle - grizzly
post - McflyFoam cerise


Part 1

mash barb, start thread; tie in CH and wrap halfway down bend






tie in post material loop; trim butt, wrap to eye and back






tie in hackle at base of loop; insert loop in gallows






wrap hackle up the post (= thorax width), and down; tie off/trim

[ScottP]

Part 2

tie in peacock; twist with thread and wrap thorax, tie off/trim






sweep hackle fibers back, pull post forward; tie down






pull post back, half hitch x 2, SHHAN




trim post








Regards,
Scott

[Bruce Norikane]

Awesome pattern. I love the hackle stacker over the peacock, quite different look than Griffiths Gnat but retains the peacock thorax. I tie and fish a similar parachute midge with shuck and hi-vis post, but I like the look of this better.

You should call it Scott's Stacked Gnat.

[whatfly]

Exceptional tie, and pattern, Scott. Have to admire the fact that it is a #20. I especially like how it solves the problem of the wing on hackle-stackers. Will definitely have to try some.

[Jeremy]

Nice fly, I'll have to try some. I have issues with the peacock breaking off when I twist w/thread though. I'll work on it but any hints would be super...

Jeremy.

[Joe Billingsley]

Jeremy,
I just use a tiny amount of super glue on the thread wraps and then wrap the peacock over it. Never had it fail and it's easy.

Joe

[ScottP]

I have issues with the peacock breaking off when I twist w/thread though.

Jeremy,

First thing I'd try is trimming the tips a bit; that end of the herl is somewhat fragile. I also wrap the peacock around the thread (barber pole style) before I twist it. Could be a problem with the peacock you're using, as well; I've got some older loose herl that's very fragile, even when I trim the tips back. I never use that stuff any more; I've switched over to eyed peacock sticks.
Joe's idea sounds good, too.

Regards,
Scott

[Jeremy]

Jeremy,
I just use a tiny amount of super glue on the thread wraps and then wrap the peacock over it. Never had it fail and it's easy.

Joe

Thanks Joe.

Something I thought about since I posted was maybe I was pulling the herl too tight initially and on the wrap she broke..??.. Dunno but I'll have to play with both ideas some. Some slack might work we'll see.

[Jeremy]

Thanks Scott. I do hold my herl by the butts and tugg to snap off the fragile ends and also use eyes now instead of the bulk junk. A guy can fall for that stuff, it's so nice.

I'll do some trying...

[jay92]

You could also use a synthetic like ice dub or Arizona dubbing in the peacock flavors. They look pretty nice and are durable.