Centered Hi-Viz Parachute Ant
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Centered Hi-Viz Parachute Ant is a parachute ant variation with the parachute post and hackle moved to the middle of the hook shank, for a thinner head section on the fly and better balance on the water. It’s our #2 ant on float trips, both in this color combination and red and black with a March Brown-dyed grizzly hackle.
Hook: Standard dry fly, #12-18.
Thread: 8/0 to match front body segment. Here, rusty-brown Uni.
Head and Abdomen: Fine acrylic dubbing. Here rusty brown acrylic yarn chopped up in a coffee grinder. Other good colors are a red head with a black abdomen, all black, or all medium brown.
Parachute Post: Hi-viz Para Post Wing, Widow’s Web, or similar.
Hackle: Dry fly saddle oversized by about one hook size. On this cinnamon version, use brown. On red/black, use March Brown-dyed grizzly.
Center Segment: Tiny tuft of UV Ice Dub, regular Ice Dub, Polar Dub, SLF, or any similar bright, flashy dubbing wrapped around the hook shank at the base of the parachute post. Here, UV cinnamon Ice Dub.
Cinnamon Flying Ant – Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Cinnamon Flying Ant
This is an excellent bug on the Yellowstone in August and early September and does double duty as a caddis or even (due to its rusty appearance) a mayfly emerger.
Hook: Standard dry, #14-18.
Thread: 8/0 rusty brown.
Head and Abdomen: Rusty brown acrylic dubbing. Here, it’s just craft yarn chopped up in a blender, but use whatever you like.
Wing: Light tan Widow’s Web or similar hydrophobic synthetic, tied in vee-style. You can also use white.
Hackle: Badger, 4-6 turns. You can also use brown, grizzly-brown, etc.
Extended Body Girdle Bug – Pat’s Rubberlegs
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Extended Body Girdle Bug (Rubberlegs, Pat’s Rubberlegs, there are many names) is a twist on probably the most popular nymph in the northern Rockies these days. With a tungsten bead and simple extended body, it sinks like a brick and has more movement than most Girdle Bugs. Here I tie it in a copper/tan/brown color, but the basic pattern is a good “changeup” for any color of Pat’s Rubberlegs.
Hook: 1x short 1x strong scud hook, #6 (can go smaller with smaller beads and a smaller diameter of lead wire).
Bead: 3/16″ black nickel tungsten.
Thread: 6/0 dark brown.
Horns: Short section of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in pinch-style.
Weight: .035 lead or non-toxic wire.
Tails: Long section of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in pinch-style.
Body: “Henry’s Lake” New Age Chenille. Other variegated chenilles are also good.
Legs: Three short sections of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in with X-wraps and reinforced with head cement. Can cut back to two legs if desired, particularly on smaller sizes.