Black Gnat Parachute

The Black Gnat Parachute is a dry fly that imitates small, dark-bodied adult midges, gnats, and occasionally black mayflies. The parachute-style hackle allows the fly to sit flush in the surface film, mimicking the delicate posture of emerging or spent insects. Its dark body and fine hackle replicate the profile and silhouette of natural black midges and gnats, making it particularly effective in low light or when trout are feeding selectively on tiny black insects near the surface.

History:
The Black Gnat Parachute is a modern variation of the traditional Black Gnat, a pattern that originated in the 19th century as both a wet and dry fly. The parachute style itself became widely adopted in the mid-20th century for its improved visibility and realistic floating posture. By adapting the Black Gnat to the parachute form—replacing the traditional upright or spent wings with a white or light-colored post and horizontal hackle—tiers created a fly that maintained the original’s simplicity and effectiveness while increasing its visibility to anglers and its realism to fish. The Black Gnat Parachute remains a staple for midge hatches and technical water, offering a stealthy, natural presentation with excellent floatation and visibility.