Red Ant

The Red Ant is a simple yet deadly terrestrial pattern that imitates the bright-bodied ants often found along streambanks during the warmer months. Its two distinct red dubbing segments create a classic ant silhouette, while the light, natural hackle gives the fly a subtle footprint and lifelike struggle in the surface film.

After tying the two red dubbing segments, lightly brush a single stroke of waterproof marker along the underside of the fly. This creates a faint dark stripe—something real ants often show when wet—and it adds just enough contrast for trout to key in on the silhouette without altering the fly’s simplicity.