The first time I came in contact with the Griffith's Gnat was 20 years ago. Back then I was fishing the lakes of Nordmarka north of Oslo. Every evening the wind would die down and fish started to rise. And I wouldn't get a take at all, because my caddis flies where ignored. After researching the internet I came to the conclusion, that it indeed might be a hatch of midges. Also back then the Griffith's Gnat was the first recommendation, so not much changed there. On the first evening I hooked not only trout and since then I have no scepticism against small flies anymore. It is still my favourite midge pattern and I already carry some in my fly box.
The fly on the pic I tied with cheap peacock grass. If you twist the thread with the herl and then wind this little rope together to the hook eye, it is a very durable fly and the herl won't break on you. I like to use sparse hackle on this pattern. In this case I used french hackle from Polish Quills.
If you never fished midges, try it after a fish refused your dry fly several times. It is true what you read everywhere: Big fish still eat very small midges.
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