Bodkin / Patterns

Foam Flying Ant

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry-fly hook, 14-18
  • Thread Black or rust 8/0

Materials

  • Body Black or cinnamon (2mm foam, two humps)
  • Wings White/dun material (poly yarn or Widow's Web, tented)
  • Legs Black ostrich herl (small round rubber, 2 per side)
  • Sighter Orange permanent marker (optional foam dot)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Bind a foam strip at the bend and pull it forward to form the rear gaster, pinching a narrow waist at the 55% mark.
  3. Figure-8 one rubber leg per side at the waist so they splay.
  4. Tent a sparse poly wing low over the waist, angled back.
  5. Fold the foam forward over the front to form the head hump and bind just behind the eye.
  6. Add an optional small orange sighter on top for visibility.
  7. Whip finish behind the eye and trim the foam to a neat head.

Tying videos

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