Attachment 9910
My ant
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Attachment 9910
My ant
Walmart also had green, blue, red, tan, etc. This is my first attempt, sans legs. Just to give an idea what this fly looks like.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...2-27-12005.jpg
Hey Warren, my first looked way better than that! Did you feed yours to an anteater and let it pass through before retrieving it for the picture? ;)
After cutting the strip, you need to use your scissors to trim off any excess tags on the sides. Then, after pulling the nubs off, you need to toss out any that are not the right size, etc. I've been doing that tonight in preparation for tomorrow's tying session and it seems like I'm getting about an 80% success rate. That's acceptable given how cheap the liner material is per fly.
I also suspect, based on that picture, that you may not be using the right liner. Mine pull off with two very fine fibers, much like threads, sticking out of both ends.
Good to see you again at the tying clinic!
for those of you running out to buy shelf liner, at our dollar store they sell round chunks of the stuff used for opening jars and possibly putting pots on, they sell four in a pack for a buck and are about six inches across, you can get a lifetime supply for a buck.
Eric
Oh, that shelf liner! I was thinking of the heavy contact paper-like stuff, and just couldn't make the connection, but now I have it.
Did these about two years ago after seeing the article by Rick that Gandolf refered too. Not sure if my hooks are too heavy (standard dry) but I found out they do not float. I put some Troutsman floatant on them and they didn't dissolve so am assuming they will float now. Haven't had a chance to try them.Attachment 9912
I did not somce p with this. Saw it at SowBug a few years ago.
I tie the flies on size 16 dry fly hooks. Usually using parachute hackle for the legs.
Rick
The first one I tied, without legs, floated great. I suspect the legs will help even more with floatation.
I just bought a combination plastic/horsehair bristle brush for the legs. I'll post which material works best. I plan to tie a bunch tomorrow.
I think the Walmart shelf liner material will be limited to #14 and #16 hooks due to the size of the nubs. It is possible that it might work on a #12 if you first dub or thread wind a head behind the eye.
i found this pattern a few year's ago...I wanna say it was an Al Beatty thing??
Two things I have found...
#1--they take permanent markers VERY well
#2-- I have a 10' by 10' brown rug pad (keeps the area rug from sliding around) that will NEVER be used up. Yes, that was 10 FEET square. Got it for a buck at a garage sale. Actually, my buddy got it for me as a joke, when I showed him how to make the ants/damsels.
OK...to set the record straight...was at Walmart today and checked on the " Easy Liner Select Grip nubby rubber shelf lining " ....that is what oldfrat is using but it is not the same stuff the rest of us are referring too...at least most of us. Warren's picture looks like the old stuff.
What was referred to a couple of years ago is more nubby and consists of squares set up in a diamond like pattern.
No wonder I couldn't follow oldfrat's instructions!
Here's a link to the old stuff...there's a picture of the material.....incidently I no longer see it at Walmart.
Looks like you will have to copy and past this link...
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/061608fotw.php