Bob Weinberger wrote:
"Da" wrote in message
ups.com...
Today, I trimmed the Griffith's Gnat hackle a little bit to make the
hackle length is about 1.5 times hook gap. Here is the picture.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Dan.versacorp.cn/Forum02

I have to say I do not have the genetic hackle to tie the fly. I use
the smallest Chinese rooster neck feather to tie the fly. And I also
reduce the wrap of peacock herl. The pattern looks a little weird. I
just want to know whether it looks better than my first one. Or there
is anything I should pay attention to when tying this pattern again.

I again urge you to read some books about flyfishing and fly fishing theory
before just trying to copy flies from pictures in flytying books, You need
to understand that somewhat similar apperance does not equal similar
performance or function. For instance, trimming the hackles may give a
somewhat similar appearance (to the human eye at least) to a proper
Griffith's Gnat ( though the overall fly is still several sizes larger than
it should be). but the thick blunt tips of a trimmed hackle will not ride
properly on the surface, will appear wrong to the fish, and will quickly
absorb water and sink.
Even if "genetic" hackles are not available to you in China, you can -
though with some difficulty - find hackles of the proper size. You just
need to be more diligent in your search. A few can usually be found near
the head of good rooster skins. Many of the fly patterns (including
Griffith's Gnat) you are trying to copy originated long before "genetic"
hackle was developed, and several of us on this board are old enough that we
sucessfully tied such patterns for many years before we could get - or
afford - "genetic" hackle.

Bob Weinberger La Grande, OR



FWIW, I tie a lot of my GGs with "genetic" hen hackle, which is a little softer and they fish very
well on calm waters. Good "non-genetic" rooster should be at least as good if you follow the
suggestion above and find the right size hackle for the hook.

Vaughan