Bodkin / Patterns

Chernobyl Ant

Terrestrial · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 2 versions

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry fly, 2x long, 6-12
  • Thread Black 6/0

Materials

  • Body Black closed-cell foam (2 layers)
  • Legs Round rubber legs (3 pairs)
  • Indicator Orange or yellow foam (small strip)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the long hook, lay a thread base the full shank. Foam slips on bare hooks.
  2. Tie in the black foam strip at the rear tie-down point, letting a stub extend past the bend.
  3. Advance the thread forward and bind the foam down at 3-4 evenly spaced stations, letting it bulge into segments between wraps. Firm wraps. But not so tight they slice the foam.
  4. At each station, tie in a rubber leg on each side with the same wraps that secure the foam. Legs should splay out and back.
  5. Lay the second foam layer (or fold the strip back) over the top and bind at the same stations.
  6. Tie a bright strip of orange or yellow foam on top as an indicator.
  7. Whip finish at the front tie-down, not the eye. A thread head against foam just slides off.

Substitutions

  • Body instead of Black closed-cell foam: 2mm tan or brown foam — Hopper variant; Black and orange layered foam — More visible; Chocklett's Loco Foam — Easier to cut and fold
  • Legs instead of Round rubber legs: Barred Sili Legs — More lifelike, more movement; Crazy Legs — Wiggly tips, great trigger; Centipede Legs — More natural, segmented look
  • Indicator instead of Orange or yellow foam: Pink foam — Better visibility in low light; Hi-vis orange yarn — Easier to attach; Fluorescent chartreuse foam — Best in bright conditions

Other versions

1 more in the app: BCFlyguys.

Tying videos

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