Dry fly
Black Gnat
Small darkfly matcher
Trout · Sea troutSurface
A small dark speck on or in the film — exactly what fish see when they're rising to gnats. Cast upstream drag-free and repeat until the take comes.
Fish this when
Spring and summer when gnats are rising off the water. Most effective during sparse hatches when trout are picky and feeding selectively.
Why it works
Tiny dark body matches the natural. Floats low and cocks properly. Works as both dun imitation and spent pattern without pretension.
Naturals it imitates
small dark adult fly
Typical zone & fishable range
usually
Surface
Film
Subsurface
Deep
Setup sensitivity: medium
Quick facts
Tying difficulty
Beginner-friendly
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