Fishing Irish loughs with a Large Gnat / Mayfly pattern is one of the most exciting traditional styles of trout fishing—especially during the famous Mayfly hatch (locally called the “Green Drake”).
When to Fish the Mayfly
Peak season: Late May to early June (varies slightly by year and lough)
Best time of day:
Late morning → afternoon during heavy hatches
Evening spinner falls can be excellent
The Large Gnat / Mayfly Pattern
“Large Gnat” patterns in Ireland often imitate:
Adult mayflies (duns and spinners)
Sometimes even suggest clusters or spent flies
Common traditional patterns:
Green Drake
Spent Gnat
Grey Wulff (large sizes)
Mayfly Cripple
Typical hook sizes:
Size 8–12 (bigger than most dry fly fishing elsewhere)
???? Where on the Lough
Focus on:
Shallow bays where mayflies emerge
Areas with reed beds or weed growth
Wind lanes where naturals collect
Famous mayfly loughs include:
Lough Corrib
Lough Mask
Lough Sheelin
How to Fish It
1. Presentation
Use a floating line + long leader (12–15 ft)
Keep casts accurate but not delicate—Irish trout are used to wave action
Let the fly sit naturally, then:
Add a slight twitch occasionally
Or let wind drift it
Materials Used;
Hook, Fulling Mill All-Purpose Medium size 10
Thread, Uni-8/0 Black
Tail, Badger Hair or Grey Squirrel
Body, White Wool and F.Mill Black Ultra Dry Dub
Thorax Cover, Black HD Foam
Wing, Dyed Black and White Deer Hair
When to Fish the Mayfly
Peak season: Late May to early June (varies slightly by year and lough)
Best time of day:
Late morning → afternoon during heavy hatches
Evening spinner falls can be excellent
The Large Gnat / Mayfly Pattern
“Large Gnat” patterns in Ireland often imitate:
Adult mayflies (duns and spinners)
Sometimes even suggest clusters or spent flies
Common traditional patterns:
Green Drake
Spent Gnat
Grey Wulff (large sizes)
Mayfly Cripple
Typical hook sizes:
Size 8–12 (bigger than most dry fly fishing elsewhere)
???? Where on the Lough
Focus on:
Shallow bays where mayflies emerge
Areas with reed beds or weed growth
Wind lanes where naturals collect
Famous mayfly loughs include:
Lough Corrib
Lough Mask
Lough Sheelin
How to Fish It
1. Presentation
Use a floating line + long leader (12–15 ft)
Keep casts accurate but not delicate—Irish trout are used to wave action
Let the fly sit naturally, then:
Add a slight twitch occasionally
Or let wind drift it
Materials Used;
Hook, Fulling Mill All-Purpose Medium size 10
Thread, Uni-8/0 Black
Tail, Badger Hair or Grey Squirrel
Body, White Wool and F.Mill Black Ultra Dry Dub
Thorax Cover, Black HD Foam
Wing, Dyed Black and White Deer Hair
- Category
- Steelheads
- Tags
- Fly, Tying, Lessons
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