Griffith Gnat Dry Fly

The Griffith's Gnat is a tiny, buggy cluster-midge pattern that imitates a clump of midges on the surface — exactly what trout see during heavy midge hatches when hundreds of tiny insects collect together on the water. While individual midge patterns can be impossibly small to see and fish, the Griffith's Gnat gives you a slightly larger, more visible option that trout eat just as eagerly.

When to Fish It

Year-round during midge activity, especially when you see trout rising to tiny bugs and can't figure out what they're eating. The Griffith's Gnat looks like a cluster of midges stuck together — a common occurrence during heavy midge emergences. Fish it dead-drift in the film with fine tippet (5X-6X). Sizes 18-22. It's also effective as a searching dry on calm water when nothing specific is hatching.

Specs

• Type: Dry fly — Midge cluster imitation
• Hook: Fine wire, small
• Style: Palmered peacock herl — buggy, visible for its size
• Best for: Trout — tailwaters, spring creeks, flat water during midge hatches
• Technique: Dead-drift in surface film, fine tippet

Why Anglers Stock This Fly

The Griffith's Gnat is the midge dry fly that actually works consistently. While single midge dries can be effective, they're nearly impossible to see on the water. The Griffith's Gnat is big enough to track but small enough to fool midge-eating trout. It's an essential pattern for any angler who encounters midge hatches — which is every trout angler. Hand-tied with quality materials by tiers with over 30 years of experience.

🎣 Build your midge box? Pair this with a Zebra Midge subsurface and a Top Secret Midge in the film.