We're back and tying. First session of the year is led by Larry Lack and we will be tying the ant.
This session will start at 6:30 on January 15. Location is the Pond Farm Brewing Company, 1848 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901. We have a few vises and tools, and materials will be supplied.
The ant pattern is the best fly you’ve probably never used. In fact, most fly anglers haven’t. The reason is, we’re told that we’re supposed to “match the hatch,” and naturally we think of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. The prolific bugs we see flying around in front of our eyes.
The thing is, ants are ever-present during certain seasons too, and trout relish them. While fly fishing in the U.S. you’ll see normal black ants, flying ants, carpenter ants, and velvet ants. Fly fishing with ants is an extremely productive method.
As far as tying flies for fly fishing goes, if there is such a thing as a ubiquitous (DEF: present; found everywhere) insect, it’s ants. Why do trout eat ants? A possible reason might be they’re acidic, with their bodies containing lots of formic acid they use to lay trails.
Most small animals won’t eat ants or beetles—this includes lizards, frogs, toads, mice, etc. Animals that consume a lot of ants, such as anteaters and horned lizards, are generally specialized feeders equipped to digest and thrive on the unique body composition of ants.
Trout, on the other hand, are opportunistic predators and will gorge themselves on ants. They seem to prefer ants to anything else on the water, if given the choice.
When ants hit the water, there’s no escape—something the fish appreciate. Maybe trout recognize that ants can’t fly away. Regardless, they drown quickly and trout are happy to take them on the surface, or below the surface.
Regardless of the reason—brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout—they all eat ants with fervor. You can take that to the bank (well, maybe, river).
Hook: Barbless size 14 or 16
Thread: Black 6/0
Dubbing: Black
Wing: White antron
Hackle: Grizzly size 16