Chernobyl Ant

The Chernobyl Ant originated in the early 1990s, when guides on Utah's Green River collaborated to create a fly that could effectively mimic the large black crickets abundant in the area. The result was the Chernobyl Ant, a pattern that is big, buggy, and renowned for its exceptional buoyancy. Constructed from foam and rubber legs, it not only floats effortlessly but also imitates a wide range of terrestrial insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles. Its simple yet effective design has made it a staple for anglers targeting trout, bass, and other species in rivers and lakes around the world.

Lightly rough up the underside of the foam with fine sandpaper. This creates tiny micro-bubbles when the fly hits the water, giving subtle shimmer and trapped-air movement that imitates a real struggling terrestrial—and dramatically boosts takes in slow seams and glassy pockets.