dry
Griffith's Gnat
Griffith's Gnat is the most important midge dry fly pattern in existence. Its peacock herl body and palmered grizzly hackle create a buggy silhouette that imitates a cluster of midges trapped in the surface film. When trout are rising to invisible insects on glassy water, this tiny fly is often the key to cracking the code.
Variants
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History
George Griffith, a co-founder of Trout Unlimited, developed this pattern in Michigan. Its enduring effectiveness lies in its simplicity and ability to imitate midge clusters rather than individual midges — matching how trout actually feed during midge activity.
Tying overview
Palmer a grizzly hackle over a peacock herl body — one of the simplest and most effective dry fly designs ever conceived.
Fishing tips
Present the Griffith's Gnat dead drift in the film during midge activity. Fish it in sizes #20-24 on tailwaters and spring creeks where trout sip midges from the surface. Apply floatant sparingly to let it sit IN the film, not on top of it.