oak tree ant

[Panfisha]

Thought of this just the other day. A foam ant with foam on the top and bottom, so the fish see the foam segments and not just segments with the hook shank down the middle.
In this I use a size 10 just for easy example, but a 12 would be used for fishing.

Heres how it oughta turn out.

Heres what you need to do it, (besides tools.) But wire for antennas is optional.

For the foam, make it over 2 times the length of the hook.


1.)Put a hole through the folding point of the strip of foam, and slide it onto the hook like so, and start your thread, going all the way to the back.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020228.jpg
2.)For the rubber legs, round works best, as you can cut out a strip of 3 and seperate them after you tie it on. Tie it on at the middle of the hook, and once secured, move the thread behind the legs. Separating the legs can be done at anytime.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020229.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020231.jpg
3.)Now bring the foam on both top and bottom forward, and secure it behind the legs to create the abdomen. Secure with 4 or so good wraps.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020234.jpg
4.)Wrap the thread over the top of the legs, bringing the foam with you, and securing it in front of the legs. This makes the middle body.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020235.jpg
5.)Bring the thread back to the eyelet.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020236.jpg
6.)Make the head.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020237.jpg
7.)Cut off the excess foam, wrap a few times to cover the foam next to the eyelet, whip finish and head cement. I also highly suggest you trim the abdomen to a rounded edge like a real ant.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...a/P1020239.jpg

[ScottP]

Nice ant; thanks for the tutorial. Where abouts outside Baltimore? (I grew up in Dundalk).

Regards,
Scott

[scubatim]

Great idea and great looking fly or should I say ant

[Panfisha]

I tried it with some hackle for the mid section, came out pretty good. But the hackle should be medium in length.

And in response to Scott, I'm in milford mill, near pikesville.

[92Esquire]

I just finished tying up about 3 dozen "CB Hoppers", which use a pretty similar technique, albeit with the fold in the front rather than in the back. Not saying you would want to modify your pattern, but here's the CB version anyway:

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/fly...fm?parentID=16

Nice ant and good use of materials!