Fly Fishing for Trout with Black Ant and Black Gnat Flies

Fly Fishing for Trout with Black Ant and Black Gnat Flies

A recent Fish and Wildlife study found that over 95% of rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout caught during the summer month had black ants or black gnats in their digestive systems.  That study alone is reason enough to always carry a few black ant and black gnat dry and wet flies with you. During the summer months when fly fishing for trout and there are no hatches on the water I have caught many nice trout using black ant and black gnat fly fishing flies. If you pay attention to what flies and insects are on the water, you will often see ants and gnats on the water.  

 I will always have black ant and black gnat dry flies is sizes 14, 16, and 18 with me. I carry then in both standard dry flies and parachute dry flies. If you will work the ant and gnat flies under any overhanging trees, branches and brush you will be surprised at the number of trout you will catch. Along with the dry flies I also carry an assortment of black ant and black gnat wet flies with me. The wet fly sizes I carry are size 10, 12, and 14. If you cannot coax trout to take the flies off the surface of the water than switch to a wet black ant or wet black gnat and again work them under overhanging trees and branches. Also try working the dry flies around rocks being sure to mend your line properly to insure your fly floats naturally with the water and not across or against the current. Mending your line is a skill every fly fisherman should perfect and practice. If especially a dry fly does float naturally with the current most trout will not take it. Often time I will weight a black ant or black gnat wet fly with a little split shot to insure it works a little deeper.

 In the warmer summer months when the trout are not feeding on your assortment of traditional dry flies, give a few black ant and few black gnat dry and wet flies a try. If ants and gnats are a major part of a trout’s diet in the summer than offer them some lunch.       

Tight Lines,

Brian

 

Tags: brook trout, brown trout, dry flies, fly fishing, fly fishing flies, rainbow trout, wet flies