Black Gnat Fly

Overview

The Black Gnat is a classic dry fly of English origin, and Umpqua notes that it is actually a terrestrial imitation. It matches small, dark insects like gnats and other black-bodied flies that end up on the water.

Its dark profile is also easy for anglers to see in low light, when light-colored flies disappear against the glare. It is a good choice in the evening, on overcast days and whenever dark mayflies or small dark insects are on the water.

How to Fish It

• Dead drift: fish it drag-free on 5X or 6X to rising fish.
• Low light: tie it on in the evening or on cloudy days when it stands out.
• Dry-dropper: Umpqua suggests a dry-dropper setup in low light; hang a small nymph below.
• Small streams: a good searching dry for brook trout and small-stream fish.

Choosing Color and Size

Size 16 is easier to see and matches larger dark insects. Size 18 is for small gnats and picky fish on flat water.