Fly Angler's OnLine "Fly of the Week #7"

Griffith's Gnat

(October 13-19, 1997)


Griffith's Gnat

Thanks to Umpqua Feather Merchants, Glide, OR
for use permission.

"Quick and easy; a great fly for the novice to get started on," so said Castwell when I asked him about the Griffith's Gnat. "Kinda like a small, no-tail, flo ating woolly-bugger." He went on, "No fly-box would be complete without two in a range of sizes. It is versatile; you can float it, skate it, clip the bottom and 'emerge' it, or sink it. I am sure it has been sucked in, gulped in, slashed at, and refused as much as any other great fly.

Hook:

TMC 101, sizes 14 - 22.

Thread:

Olive, 6/0.

Rib:

Fine gold wire.

Body:

Peacock herl.

Hackle:

Grizzly, palmered.
Tying Instructions:

There is more than one way to get it done. Try this:

Start thread behind eye, wrap to bend.

Tie in wire, butt end of hackle and herl.

Twist thread around herl, wind forward and secure.

Counter-wind wire forward and secure.

Palmer to front and tie off.

Remember a fly doesn't have to be flashy or hard to tie to be good. Just presented at the proper time in the proper way. This fly will pass for many insects depending u pon how you fish it. Perhaps an emerging mayfly, a horse fly, a small stone fly, ant, cricket, and if the wind is blowing, a caddis. A fly with a solid heritage. The Griffith's Gnat is a 'must have' fly." - DB