Matt Grobert's efforts at coming up with a more durable version of a Griffith's Gnat hit double bullseye. He calls it simply: Matt's Gnat. The pattern has been around 25 or so years and gained a following after the pattern was publish in Fly Fisherman Magazine around the time of it's inception.
This pattern is a fairly simple tie to master. Unlike the Griffith's Gnat that utilizes hackle and gold wire to secure everything in place, Grobert simplifies his eponymous fly with snowshoe rabbit and a single strand of peacock herl in a dubbing loop. The result is a very buggy pattern that floats like a cork. Not to mention it catches a lot of "sippers" in the surface film. So if you are ensure of the hatch (midges or mayflies) and see small dimples on the water tie one of these bad boys on!
Someone once asked me, "Between the Griffith's Gnat or a Matt's Gnat what do you find more effective?" The answer, "That's a tough choice, but the buggiest and transluceny of the Matt's Gnat gets my vote."
Tying Instructions:
1. Pinch barb of a TMC 2488 utilizing the jaws of the vise.
2. Secure thread approximately one eye length behind the eye and wrap to the center of the shank.
3. Tie in one single strand of peacock herl and secure with wrap rearward to a point just above the barb and return thread forward. The juiciest herl is found on a "stick" just below the eye.
4. Use a very tacky wax and apply liberally to the thread.
5. Utilize the hairs from the bottom of a snowshoe rabbit. Clip away from foot and remove all guard hairs. I like the softest and thinnest hairs. Touch dub the hair at a 90-degree angle to thread. Ensure the hair is not too long.. Now form a dubbing loop and secure the loop with wraps of thread rearward. Insert the peacock hair into the dubbing loop. Twist the combination to form a chenille-like appearance and wind forward to a position just behind the eye. The body will be plump and the hair will stick out at angles- just like hackle.
6. Secure dubbing loop, remove waste and whip finish.
Materials:
Hook: TMC 2488, sizes 16-24 (Size 20 pictured)
Thread: 14/0 Veevus, red (Grobert uses 6/0 UTC)
Body: Peacock herl single strand and natural color snowshoe rabbit wound in a dubbing loop
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