Griffiths Gnat - In black?

[Spider]

Quick question - seeing as a Griffiths Gnat is supposed to imitate something small and black, is a black hackle ever used instead of a grizzle? Seems to make sense and my grizzle neck is quite faded compared to some i have seen, especially the smaller hackles for size 18-22 flies. or does this great pattern have to have grizzle in it ? Cheers.

[flyfisherlady]

I have a brownier grizzle hackle that I use. It imitates sedges quite nicely..

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by Spider

does this great pattern have to have grizzle in it ? Cheers.

No it doesn't Spider. I've tried loadsa colours/feathers, and I'm not convinced it makes the slightest bit of difference. Try to think of the Griff as basically a vehicle for carrying lots of little feet, or legs, and not as a 'fly' as we know it. The main trigger point with the Griff is the dimpling of the water surface, as viewed from below by the fish.

[bill d]

I often thought that myself and last year i tied up some in smaller sizes 22-26 and they worked just fine. I actually kept a record of how many they caught compared to the trad pattern and although not out-scoring it they caught their fair share, might have caught more if i used them more. And , even though i hate to admit it cause he annoys the absolute p**s out of me, patterson's recent article in FFFT where a small black midge had a clipped hackle body also worked on this fly , tiny bit of fullers on back of body and lots of dilly wax on the hackle caught me quiet a few finicky fish.

[dwiltshire]

A black will work a treat

An excellent terrestrial immitation.

[coasty]

I use black and I also carry some that I tie with Olive... Not sure they catch better but they do work and they make me feel more confident..

[roll cast]

I have tied one with a shuck of clear/white antron and dubbed seal fur body with a furnace hackle. Haven't fished it yet but looks nice.

Will get photo later.
AL

[emerger1981]

Originally Posted by roll cast

I have tied one with a shuck of clear/white antron and dubbed seal fur body with a furnace hackle. Haven't fished it yet but looks nice.

Will get photo later.
AL

[madjoni]

Originally Posted by Spider

does this great pattern have to have grizzle in it ? Cheers.

Yes it does
You may change something but you need then another name for that new fly

[emerger1981]

Originally Posted by madjoni

Yes it does
You may change something but you need then another name for that new fly

in that case you are right by name.. but i think he means will it still work with another type of hackle.. the answer is yes!
but it will work better with a grizzle or cree