Ant Fly Patterns
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- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:13 pm
- Location: San Antonio, TX
Ant Fly Patterns
I saw this awesome ant pattern on hatches.com. Are ant patterns really that effective? Would it be a good fly to have in my box for fishing in south Texas?
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
Probably can't hurt to have some--especially if fishing after a good rain. I personally haven't fished with ant patterns but I think some folks have had success with them.
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
I have not seen ant patterns in anyones suggestions for Texas, but let us know if it works.
I used several ants with success in the Rockies but have never tried them here.
I used several ants with success in the Rockies but have never tried them here.
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
Fish don't look up much on the Guad, but I bet a drowned ant pattern would work. Unfortunately, we get some big fire ant falls in the late spring after a big rain, and they can do major damage to trout who decide to key on them. It's one of those Darwinian decisions with lethal consequences.
Mickfly
Fish Friendly - Life's too short not to enjoy every minute on the river.
Fish Friendly - Life's too short not to enjoy every minute on the river.
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
I caught dozens of sunfish this summer on an ant like this-

The Tackle Box carries those foam cylinders.
Edit- not sure it matters but I think I tied mine in three sections, with hackle in two places where the foam is compressed by the thread. (like so- tie in the hackle above the barb, tie on the foam. Wrap hackle 3-4 times around where the foam is tied down, tie off the hackle. Lift the foam and wrap thread around the shank and hackle 2/3's of the way to the eye. Tie down the foam again, another 3-4 wraps of hackle, tie off hackle, whip finish and yer done.)

The Tackle Box carries those foam cylinders.
Edit- not sure it matters but I think I tied mine in three sections, with hackle in two places where the foam is compressed by the thread. (like so- tie in the hackle above the barb, tie on the foam. Wrap hackle 3-4 times around where the foam is tied down, tie off the hackle. Lift the foam and wrap thread around the shank and hackle 2/3's of the way to the eye. Tie down the foam again, another 3-4 wraps of hackle, tie off hackle, whip finish and yer done.)
I'd rather hunt fish than bait deer, and I practice moderation in moderation.
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- Posts: 1300
- Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2002 8:26 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
I have caught Guadalupe Rainbows on Parachute Ants.
It is also one of my go to attractor/searching patterns when fishing the Rockies in the summertime especially in meadows.
It has worked better than even the much ballyhooed Hopper most days.
Jimbo
It is also one of my go to attractor/searching patterns when fishing the Rockies in the summertime especially in meadows.
It has worked better than even the much ballyhooed Hopper most days.
Jimbo
Re: Ant Fly Patterns
Jimbo, you scared me..I thought for a moment you said you had caught rainbows on the Guad in parachute pants!
Can't touch this...

Can't touch this...
Mark Dillow