Bodkin / Patterns

Fur Ant

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry fly, 14-20
  • Thread Black or cinnamon 8/0

Materials

  • Body Rabbit or muskrat dubbing (2 bumps)
  • Hackle Black or brown hackle (2-3 wraps)

How to tie it

  1. Mount hook, start thread at the bend.
  2. Dub a pronounced, round rear bump for the abdomen. Use enough dubbing to create a clearly ball-shaped profile. This is one of the few patterns where you actually want a plump dubbing ball rather than a smooth taper.
  3. Advance thread forward to midshank, leaving a visible gap. The bare shank in between represents the ant's narrow waist.
  4. Wrap 2-3 turns of hackle in the gap. The hackle supports the fly on the surface and suggests the ant's legs.
  5. Dub a slightly smaller front bump for the head, about 2/3 the rear bump size.
  6. Whip finish. The whole fly should show two clear bumps separated by hackle.

Tying videos

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