Ant flies
Order: Hymenoptera
The ants that most interest the fly fisher are flying ants and
those that live near our rivers and lakes. Ants working on overhanging
branches and grasses do, on windy occasions, fall into the water
where they become prey for hungry fish. Most of these insects
will be small, black or dark and float well. There are thousands
of species and a generalized pattern representing the average
size and colour of the local naturals will be as good as any attempt
at a super realistic, species specific, fly. If you get the general
size and colour right, then it's all up to your presentation skills.
Small dry flies with sparsely tied dark bodies, something to suggest
splayed legs while aiding floatation, and hook sizes from #12
down to the very smallest sizes, will imitate ants on the water.
Swarming ants on a humid summer afternoon also fall into the water
at times and these provide a 'hatch' of sorts for opportunistic
fish. An ant pattern with the addition of wings will provide a
good imitation that should be dead drifted with the naturals or
presented near undercut banks or overhanging trees.
As part of our range of fly fishing flies we are committed to
bring you a wide selection of ant flies. Help us build
our stock of ants by requesting your favorite patterns.
