Guide
IllustrationBlack Gnat
Dry#14–16blackBest: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
When to use
Use it when trout are sipping small dark insects, especially in slower river glides, margins and shaded stillwater edges. It is a fine-leader pattern for fussy fish taking small dark surface food.
Imitates
Black gnat and other tiny dark terrestrials.
Team position
Single fly.
Best methods
Dry, staticDead-drift
Dressing
- Hook
- dry fly, #14-16
- Thread
- black
- Tail
- black cock hackle fibres
- Body
- black dubbing
- Hackle
- natural black cock or saddle hackle
- Wing
- mallard slips
- Head
- black thread head
Classic winged dry dressing.
Pairs with
Retrieve & line
- Fished dry and static — floating line
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