Bodkin / Patterns

Griffith's Gnat

Midge · Dry Fly · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 2 versions

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry fly, 18-24
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Hackle Grizzly hackle (1 small feather)
  • Body Peacock herl (2-3 strands)

How to tie it

  1. Mount hook, lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Tie in a small grizzly hackle by the tip at the bend, fibers about one hook gap long.
  3. Tie in 2-3 peacock herls at the bend.
  4. Wrap the herl forward in touching turns to one eye-length behind the eye. On tiny hooks, twist the herls around your thread first for durability.
  5. Palmer the grizzly hackle forward through the body in 3-4 open turns.
  6. Tie off, whip finish with a minimal head. Two materials, done.

Substitutions

  • Body instead of Peacock herl: Peacock Ice Dub — More durable, similar look with sparkle; Black thread with fine silver wire rib — Minimalist version, sinks less; UV Peacock Ice Dub — Adds UV trigger
  • Hackle instead of Grizzly: Black hackle — Darker silhouette, good in evening; Dun hackle — Subtler barring

Other versions

1 more in the app: Pearly Griffith's (McPhail).

Tying videos

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