Bodkin / Patterns

Drowned Ant Soft Hackle

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook wet fly / nymph, 14-16
  • Thread black 70 denier

Materials

  • Abdomen Black ostrich herl (dubbing, glossy lump)
  • Thorax Black ostrich herl (dubbing, small lump)
  • Hackle Brown hackle (partridge, soft)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start black thread.
  2. Build a shiny black abdomen lump over the rear third, tapering to a thin waist.
  3. Advance and build a second, smaller black lump at the front for the thorax, leaving room behind the eye.
  4. Tie in a brown partridge feather by the tip in front of the thorax.
  5. Take 1-2 turns of the soft hackle, then bind and sweep the fibers back so they collapse and pulse like a drowned ant's limp legs.
  6. Form a small head, whip finish and cement.

Tying videos

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