Monday, September 1, 2025

Good Things Come in Small Packages-Poison Tungs, Griffiths Gnats and Micro Chernobyls (PMD)

Happy Labour Day Everyone!

I wanted to share with you three neat little patterns that Karen and I have been successfully using in the west country on rivers. They are tiny and they are definitely fish catchers. The recent warm sunny weather has brought out lots of fly fishermen/women in the last 10 days or so. Trout will quickly get selective and cautious when they see flies of all sorts. I carry these three patterns and they have saved the day more than once. They are tiny and quite straight forward to tie. Take a look!


Charlie Craven is the originator of the Poison Tungsten Nymph. The blue rib on a grey body seems to get the attention of trout but you have to tie them small, real small. I like tying them sizes 18- 20. That will make my buddy Rick smile. Take a look below and see how Charlie Craven ties this simple little nymph!



Griffiths Gnats represent lots of things. Midges and at times, ants. Tie them small. They are simple to tie, because there are only 2 basic materials.



The micro chernobyl is a Bob Edens pattern. I think Bob developed these tiny offerings for the PMD hatch! I tie them size 18. They are straight forward to tie but hard to see on the water. So I often fly fish with these by adding a larger second fly as a sighter. I have also seen fly fishermen use a ting piece of white packing foam about 2 feet ahead of the fly so they know where it is on the water. I like using a parachute adams with this fly trailing about 2 feet back.

Mini Me (Bob Edens originator)

Hook: TMC 200R size 18
Thread: Grey 8/0
Tag: Glo Bright orange or red (tiny)
Underbody: Oliver super fine dubbing (or just thread)
Body: Grey 2 mm foam
Legs: Small (just on front)
Sighter: 1 mm razor foam orange


Colin and his buddy Bruce enjoying the beautiful weather!