Newbie Question: Crackleback & Griffith's Gnat

[CanoeDave]

I've never used either of these patterns, and was about to tie them over the Winter because I've read where they are good patterns for Taneycomo. But they look a bit similar to my "newbie" eyes. Is there a need for both flies, or would one suffice?

If there is an advantage to having both then I'll tie both. Thanks in advance. I've got the feeling that this is a stupid question, but hey, how do you learn if you don't ask...

[ozarkriverrat]

i think there is a deffinate need for both, the griffiths gnat is suppossed to simulate a ball of midges which is very effective when you see fish down at taney "rising". you would fish it dry. The crackleback is a good fly to have on windy days and or during the summer as a dry fly. You can strip the crackleback through the water and pick up lots of fish as well as let it dead drift on the surface.

[MOBass]

I have caught a bunch of fish on both of these patterns. I would be sure to have both. I fish the crackleback dry and either strip it or drift it. I like to mix thing up and found that if I had fish that wouldn't commit I could get some of them to go by giving the line a little strip to give the fly some life.

[CanoeDave]

Thank you VERY much. I appreciated the help. This is my first year of fly fishing and it has been a lot of fun, but sometimes is seems a bit overwhelming to learn some of this. If it were not for people helping (like the people on this message board) I think it would be near impossible and I'd have given up on the sport. I live in an area where fly fishing simply isn't popular at all (Central Illinois) so there isn't a local source of information.

Anyway. Thanks again. I'll be tying and trying BOTH patterns.

[troutchaser]

Just a quick note on why you need both:

Trout are picky!

I've had days where I couldn't catch anything on a gold beaded zebra midge, but when I switched to a silver beaded midge in the same color, I caught dozens.

Go figure!

[Bman]

Hey Dave,Don't forget to include SCUDS to your Taney flybox.Be sure to have them in tan,brown,olive,and grey...sizes 22-12.Use fluorocarbon tippet to improve your chances when fishing under the surface.

Bruce

[Greg]

One other small point regarding these 2 flies is that generally the griffith's gnat is tied in smaller sizes. At least that's how I do it. I tie griffith's gnats in sizes 18 to 22. I tie cracklebacks in size 12 to 16. And like one of the other posters I generally fish the gnat dry but the crackleback is more "dual purpose" - works dry and wet.

Greg

[Project Healing Waters]

One other small point regarding these 2 flies is that generally the griffith's gnat is tied in smaller sizes. At least that's how I do it. I tie griffith's gnats in sizes 18 to 22. I tie cracklebacks in size 12 to 16. And like one of the other posters I generally fish the gnat dry but the crackleback is more "dual purpose" - works dry and wet.

Greg

Ditto.