How to Tie a Griffith’s Gnat

Producer: McFly Angler

“Griffiths Gnats are a classic pattern that is very simple to tie and also very effective. These only require two materials besides the thread and hooks. That is dry fly hackle, and peacock hurl. They look like a cluster of midges together on the top of the water. Trout will target these clusters because it makes for a larger meal if they can eat more than just one midge. Obviously midges are small, so there isn’t much nutrients in just one. But a cluster of midges can provide a decent meal for a rising trout. Another way to fish this fly is use it as an indicator of sorts for another small dry fly, or an emerger. Many of these tiny dry flies are very hard to see on the surface of the water. You almost have to guess when the fish comes up and sips it. But a larger Griffiths gnat will allow you to see when it goes under, to know when a trout takes the smaller fly.”