Leggy Foam Ant (Sz 16)

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I started tying this pattern some time ago. To me it is all about the legs.

Bill Skilton makes the legs. Ant / Beetle legs. I use the Reg size in black, brown, or green.

Just yesterday I added the little yellow dot. Make sure to glue the top and bottom to hold the legs.

I use Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails.

Recipe :

Hook - sz 16 TMC 100SPBL

Thread - black or brown or red 8/0

Body - cylinder foam in black or brown to match size of ants

Legs - Skilton's Ant / Beetle legs, Reg size in black, brown or green

Optional yellow dot - yellow foam sliced thin and glued to top

 

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[Ham]

Very nice Brian. As far as your tag line, I've never had a trout wink at me, but I think they've flipped me off a few times.

[jdmidwest]

I think the red thread adds a nice touch. Good looking ants.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I just ran out of black 8/0 so I used red in a pinch... people seem to like it.. the fish.. they like it.

Me being color blind.. I just grabbed any size 8/0 thread.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

another variation

[Jack Jones]

Second one looks more spider-ish to me.

Would you mind explaining a bit on how you attached the legs? and also how many wraps on the body?

I'm pretty new to tying and it generally has to be explained to me like a 6-yr old at this point.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I use figure 8 wraps to bind the legs down.

Trial and error.... the fish like them either way.

this pattern is easy peasy... do not over complicate it.

thread - foam - legs.. voila!

[Brian K. Shaffer]

The large leg order hasn't come in yet, but I figured out now that one drop of Gorilla Glue Super Glue works best for the dot holding strength, and now I use Rainy's foam for the ant.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I found an ant in my bed today...

ha-ha - its a cast iron ant about 10 inches long

[dave potts]

I found an ant in my bed today...

ha-ha - its a cast iron ant about 10 inches long

Probably too heavy for flycasting!