Paul's March 2014 Fly of the Month

Irresistible Griffiths Gnat

Flies tied by Friend Will Stone

Hook:  Size #10-#16 Dry Fly hook.

Tying thread:   Black 6/0.

Body:  Spun Black Deerhair.

Hackle:  Grizzly Hackle.

This Fly of the Month was submitted and tied by HFFA member Will Stone.  If you know Will, you know that his passion for the quiet sport is hard to match.  

This particular pattern originates from a fisherman by the name of Kyle Andes.  Kyle is the creator of a great website called “Hammer Creek Fly Fishing”.  It’s based upon his love of fly fishing, fly patterns, and experiences.  It’s also dedicated to a small stream in PA that he grew up fishing on known as ‘Hammer Creek’.  You can check his website out at www.hammercreekflyfishing.com .  Kyle likes to use this fly and drift a nymph below it. 

Begin by laying a base of thread from the eye of the hook to the bend.  Tie in your hackle by the butt end.  Size it just like you would a standard dry fly.  Next begin spinning clumps of fine deer hair on the hook shank.  Spinning deer hair isn’t any more difficult than any other tying technique.  It just takes practice.  Cut a clump of deer hair close to the hide.  Comb out and discard the fuzzy material between the hairs.  Cut off the tips and take two loose wraps around the clump of deer hair and the hook shank.   Torque down on the third wrap and spin the hair around the shank of the hook.  Dislodge any rogue hairs that may have gotten stuck on or near the hook point.  Continue this process until you reach the eye of the hook, compressing the hairs tight together with your finger nails as you go.  You will also be winding your thread through the spun hair to advance it.  Now it’s time to trim the spun deer hair. With a sharp pair of scissors trim the deer hair so that it resembles a cigar shaped cylinder.  Next, palmer your hackle evenly along the hook shank and tie it off at the eye.  Whip finish your fly. 

This fly and Kyle’s instructional video on how to tie it can be viewed at the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association website at  www.hffa.net .  If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .  Below is Kyle's instructional video on how to tie this fly.