Description
The Red Ant is a classic terrestrial fly pattern designed to mimic ants with a reddish-brown coloration, commonly found near streams and lakes. Its segmented body and simple design replicate the natural profile of an ant, making it an effective choice for trout and panfish during the summer and early fall months when ants are most active. The Red Ant sits low in the surface film, enticing fish that are keyed in on terrestrial insects. Hook size 12-18
Pro Tip
Fish the Red Ant near grassy banks, overhanging branches, or along seams where ants are likely to drift. Present it with a dead drift for a natural look, but don’t hesitate to add small twitches to mimic a struggling insect. Pair it with a dry-dropper rig or use it as a searching pattern during terrestrial season. Experiment with different sizes to match the natural ants in the area.
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Recipe
Hook: Standard dry fly hook, sizes 12-18 Thread: Red or rust-brown, 6/0 or 8/0, for securing materials Body: Red or rust-brown dubbing, segmented into two parts for thorax and abdomen Legs: Sparse black or brown hackle fibers tied around the thorax for realism Wings (Optional): White or translucent poly yarn or Z-lon for visibility or to imitate winged ants Head: Thread build-up to define the front segment of the ant