A little help if you can.

[dick tabbert]

Made up a few Griffith gnat in black. That has been by far the best fish catching fly I have used up to date. My problem is I get a couple cast and then it becomes a sinking fly. Made it out out ostrich feathers, Silicone, and rubber. Even put a lubricant on and still only get about 2 cast. Tied it on the UL spinning and held it on the surface and about every fish that seen it had to take a bite at it. If someone know a better recipe or what I can do to keep these gnats afloat let me know its driving me nuts a dry fly that sinks. I am using a #12 dry fly hook.

[Badgerloader]

All your materials sink. It would appear you need to add something naturally buoyant to your recipe. A thin strip of closed cell foam as a back perhaps. You might try tying porcupine quill on the hook shank before you finish the fly. Another consideration is polypropylene yarn for body material - it's specific gravity is less than water (.94 or .97 - I forgot - it floats). If you make it from buoyant material, it will be hard to sink.

40 or so years ago I learned how to fly fish by fishing for stream trout. My mentors were dry fly purists and spent a lot of time crafting delicate representations of real insects. I made buggy-looking things that floated - even in the ripples. I caught all the fish I wanted to eat and released hundreds every year. If my wife planned for fish on Fri. Nite, I would catch them fresh that afternoon after work. My point is that emulation is more important than imitation. Just make it look "buggy" and they will need to taste it.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Badgerloader for the comeback. I did use closed cell foam on a couple that didn't work.  That might work the quill under my thread wrap but that may be to big around but something in a little smaller diameter. Thanks buddy you got me thinking.

[Badgerloader]

Use domestic porcupine quill. You will find a quill to fit the hook size. Otherwise, just shoot another porky, the forest managers will appreciate it. I suggest lashing the quill segments to your hooks as a separate step - make a dozen and then tie your bugs. The interior of a quill is like closed cell foam. It will float a dry fly hook.

If you make your bug from buoyant material and then use a floatant dressing, I am confident you will be happy

[dick tabbert]

Thanks buddy. I just tried a piece of round tooth pick. No luck so I guess the quill will be next. I think I have a few around here I just have to find them and I'll let you know how it works.

[Joe Angelucci]

Dick 

Take a look at the WestWater Products Thingamabobber. The smallest sized are designed to float flies

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Joe. I Don't have any idea what these are or how to use then. Guess I need to get educated I know I do have much to learn..     

[Jason Preslar]

Yep, foam will fix the issue. For future reference there are pastes and sprays made for dry flys to aid them in floating longer.....but you'll need to tie with floating materials to justify using those. Good luck.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Jason and I'll have to find more out about pastes and sprays.