Black Flying Ant
Tied by Gene Holowachuk, geneh@usa.net
PATTERN:
Hook: 1X fine dry fly, TDE, #14-18
Thread: Black - 6/0 or 8/0 prewaxed
Aft Body: Black fur or orlon dubbing
Tail: Moose body hair (dark)
Wing: Mallard wing quill segment
Hackle: Black
Fore Body: Black fur or orlon dubbing
Tying Instructions:
1. Wrap the tying thread to a point half way down the hook bend. Dub a
tapered body ending slightly forward of the hook point.
2. Wrap the thread toward the eye and then tie in 4 dark moose body hairs
on top of the hook with the tips toward the back, length about 1 1/2 - 2X
shank. Wrap the thread back toward the bend and equally divide the moose
hairs on each side of the body pointing them downwards.
3. Cut the mallard wing quill section to shape and tie in flat over the
back extending past the hook bend about 1/2 shank length. To enhance the
durability of the wing, coat the mallard wing quill in advance with either
'hard as nails' or spray it with a fixative such as Tuffilm.
4. Tie in a black hackle at the base of the wing and wind forward 4-5
turns. Dub in the front half of the body and tie off the head.
Variations include the red flying ant (red orlon dubbing), the brown flying
ant (dark brown bubbing) and the black ant (leave out the tail and wing).
The Black Flying Ant and its variations are great for those slow days of
summer and during the fall when ants fall from overhanging brush. Fish it
in slow and calm water with a fine tippet with NO drag. Browns will come up
for it when they are feeding on nothing else.
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