How to Tie the Griffith's Gnat Fly

Oct 25, 2021 · 2 min read

Learn how to tie the Griffith's Gnat Fly, including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Designed by George Griffith, the Griffith's Gnat is an easy fly to tie and is one of the best patterns to imitate a cluster of midges. Midges are a ubiquitous insect, and a hatch can occur almost any month of the year, which is why this is a pattern that you should always have on hand.

Recipe

Hook: Daiichi 1310 (size: 20, but this fly can be tied in sizes 16-26)
Thread: UNI-Thread (size 8/0; color: brown)
Body: Peacock Hurl
Hackle: Grizzly Hackle

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Step One

Gold curved hook clamped in metal vise with tan thread on shank against blue background, Griffith's Gnat fly tying

Begin the pattern by running the thread from the hook's eye to the bend, then clip the excess thread.

Step Two

Brown thread body on small hook held in vise with iridescent peacock herl strand, Griffith's Gnat fly tying

For the second step, take a strand of peacock hurl and pop the tip-off it. Pinch wrap the hurl at the eye, pull the material slightly to the left, then wind the thread to the bend.

Step Three

Close-up partially tied Griffith's Gnat in metal vise with brown thread body, iridescent herl and barred feather wing

Secure a piece of grizzly hackle at the shank's curve, with the majority of the material facing rearward. Advance the thread forward, then clip the excess feather.

Step Four

Griffith's Gnat fly with iridescent peacock herl body, brown thread and barred white tail fibers in fly-tying vise

Now that the Griffith's Gnat's materials are tied in, make evenly spaced wraps with the peacock hurl. To create a smooth underbelly, be sure to overlap each wrap tightly. Once the hurl is advanced to slightly below the eye, pull the material rearward, secure it with a half-hitch, and clip the extra fabric.

Step Five

Vise-held Griffith's Gnat fly with olive dubbed body and gray grizzly palmered hackle from barred feather, fly tying

Going back to the grizzly hackle, snap the neck and palmer the material forward. Tie the hackle in once you have reached just behind the eye, then clip the excess fibers off.

Step Six

Griffith's Gnat fly with olive dubbing, gray-white hackle and gold bead head clamped in metal vise on pale blue

For the final step, pull the material back and secure the pattern with a whip finish. Now it is time to fish a midge hatch!

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

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