Los Alamos Ants - foam fly pattern for Bluegill and Bass

https://joshs-flies.myshopify.com/

Great pattern for bluegill, sunfish, bass. Drift or use as a popping bug. I got this pattern form Fly Tying Forum. The instructions provided are from the tyer (letumgo) who submitted the pattern at Fly Tying Forum.

Material List: Size 10 Dry Fly Hook

Craft Foam (Cut into truangles 3/8" wide at base x 1" tall)

Peacock Herl

Black 6/0 thread

Rubber Legs

Fabric Paint for Eyes (I didn't use eyes)

Tying Instructions: Mix and and match colors to match the fish your are targeting. Bright colors (chartruese, yellow, white, lime green) work great on bass and panfish, while the dull earth tones (tans, browns, greens and black) work great on trout.

Detailed tying instructions are availible in a book called "Tying Flies with Foam Fur and Feathers" by Harrision R. Steeves III

1)Mount your thread on the hook and run a layer of thread to the bend of the hook and then back to the front just behind the eye of the hook.2) Tie in the first foam triangle (which will later be the bottom color). The triangles are roughly 3/8" wide by 1" high. The first triangle is tied in with the point facing back towards the bend of the hook. Roughly one third of the triangle (pointed end) is tied to the hook shank, while the remaining two-thirds points out over the front of the hook. Be sure to placing the foam on the side of the hook when you tie it in since the tension of the thread will tend to push the foam up onto the top of the hook.3) Tie in a pair of rubber leg material and run the thread back to the bend of the hook. Trim the rubber legs so they are roughly the same length as the hook. If you are using rubber legs that come in a single ribbon, it helps to keep two legs together when they are tied in. Do not splitting them apart until after they have been tied in and trimmed to length. This makes it much easier to tie in rubber legs.4) Tie in five or six strands of peacock herl by the tip and run your thread to the front of the hook. Wind the herl to the front of the hook to form the body and tie off and trim. Now run your thread to the back of the hook to reinforce the herl.5) Fold the foam triangle back towards the bend of the hook and tie off.6) Lay a second foam triangle over the top of the fly with the point facing back. The front of the foam should line up with the eye of the hook. Tie down the piece of foam and then whip finish with a long reach whip finish tool or hand whip finish.7) Cut off the thread and reattach roughly 1/8" behind the eye of the hook. Fold down the top piece of foam and tie down. The front edge should flare up a little forming almost a popper face.8) Tie in a pair of legs on each side of the hook and trim to length.9) Whip finish and cut off your thread.10) Add eyes on the front of the foam using fabric paint (75 cent from Wal-Mart) or permanent marker.

Presentation Tips: Fish as you would a grasshopper pattern or a popper. The fish love seem to love an active retrieve with this fly.

I like to use silver chenille as an attractor for this pattern.

I enjoy tying foam patterns. When I saw this fly, I had to tie it immediately. I use mostly hopper patterns but have moved to the Chernobyl Ant pattern too. I want something to drift all year - not just during "hopper time". I like to use foam fly patterns and poppers too.

Still waiting on the white bass run!! Hoping to fish the Big Sugar Creek soon!!