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
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