Ants

[bwolfe]

I usually have pretty good success with scuds and sow bugs on Spring Creek (CC). However, I don't have very good success with ants. I have tried fishing them from top to bottom with few takes. I have also tried them in all types of water, especially under overhanging bushes; still with little success. The ants I tie look pretty good, and should work.

I know that scuds and sow bugs are a more recognizable food for trout, but I would think that an ant would be inviting too.

Any comments or suggestions?

Bob

[SirJohnny]

Bob:

- The trout on Spring Creek love ants.

- I tie mine on a mustad 94840 #14 or #16. Can also use Daiichi 1180 hooks as well.

- I tie mine with black hairline rabbit bubbing for the ball in back and the one in front. I use a
black hen neck hackle for the legs. Just wrap the hackle around 2 or 3 times.

- I just fish it underneath (dead-drift nymphing), on 5x tippet. Put one or two #8 split shot and
let it drift down the stream.

- In addition to ants, try Crowe's deerhair/elkhair beetles. The fish chew up the fly fairly easy, but
it's still a good August/September pattern. Again, fished underneath dead-drift.

- Hope this helps.

Tight Lines,

John Coxey
(jpcoxey@yahoo.com)

[mike hunt]

I have the best luck on Spring fishing ants as you would a nymph.. On the slower water a hard bodied ant with a greased leader kills.

[Steve Sywensky]

Bob:
Wet back ants have been my most effective summer nymph on Spring Creek for 35-40 years, and they are ineed taking them very well this summer, too. The most effective places to fish it are along the banks and under overhanging vegertation.

The foam carpenter ant in the site archives has been hugely productive this summer as well. I have been using basically the #12s and have taken several hundred fish on them this summer.

Stick with them. They work.

Steve

[bwolfe]

Thanks guys, I'll try the tie from the archives.

Bob