Bodkin / Patterns

Parachute Flying Ant

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook standard dry fly, 14-18
  • Thread black 8/0

Materials

  • Dry fly hackle Black or grizzly saddle hackle (1 feather)
  • Poly yarn (post/wing) White or light dun poly yarn (small clump)
  • Dry fly dubbing Black dubbing (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Dub a distinct shiny gaster (rear ball) over the back third of the shank, then bare thread to leave the pinched waist.
  3. Stand a white post at the 60% mark with criss-cross turns and a front thread dam; this doubles as the flat wing silhouette.
  4. Dub a smaller front ball (head/thorax) in front of the post, leaving the wasp waist between the two humps.
  5. Tie in the hackle at the post and wind 3-4 turns down the post, then secure. Ants need only a sparse hackle.
  6. Sweep the fibers up, whip finish at the eye, and cement the post base.
  7. Trim the post to about a half shank so it reads as a low, flat wing.

Tying videos

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