Bodkin / Patterns

RIO's King Splitsville Flying Ant

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry-fly hook, 14-18
  • Thread Black 12/0

Materials

  • Dubbing or closed-cell foam Black dubbing (two-lump body)
  • Rooster hackle Black or dun rooster hackle (1 feather (Splitsville brush))

How to tie it

  1. Start black thread and dub (or fold foam into) a distinct rear gaster lump over the back third of the shank, then leave a bare pinched waist.
  2. At the waist catch a doubled loop of thread and lock it upright with several backward wraps as the Splitsville post.
  3. Tie in a black or dun hackle dull-side up and wrap it up and down the thread loop over a short length, then tie down the tip.
  4. Dub a second, forward thorax lump ahead of the waist to complete the two-part ant body, stopping short of the eye.
  5. Pull the loaded hackle loop forward over the thorax and bind it behind the eye so the fibers splay flat to the sides as wings and legs.
  6. Whip finish and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

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