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Bionic Ant Fly Step-by-Step:
“Well, let me tell you, ants are the dominant insects. They make up as much as a quarter of the biomass of all insects in the world. They are the principal predators. They’re the cemetery workers.” – E.O. Wilson
When I first shared an ant pattern on this blog in late 2020, I began with the quote above. While I’ll refrain from rehashing my praise for the late, great sociobiologist in this introduction, his words should serve as a reminder to all anglers. While diminutive, ants are prolific. Found on every continent except Antarctica, they play crucial roles in ecosystems worldwide.
As prolific as they are, it should come as no surprise that they are a favored food of species ranging from trout to the sunfish that fill our local ponds.
The creation of Lance Egan, today’s pattern is a more modern spin on the ant. Built upon the foundation of pre-cut foam cylinders, this pattern is quick to tie and incorporates a variety of fish catching features.
| Materials: | ||
|---|---|---|
 Standard Dry Fly (#12-18) |  70-Denier (Black) |  Hi-Viz Ant Bodies |
 Round Rubber Legs (Fine) |  Saddle Hackle (Brown) |  Parapost (Tan/Brown) |
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A small commission may be paid for purchases made through these links.
Bionic Ant Fly Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
Note: My apologies for the quality of images. I attempted to utilize a cell phone for this SBS and am disappointed in the outcome. I’ll be back to using my macro lense moving forward.
(Mobile Viewers: Click images to enlarge or rotate phone to landscape)
Tips and Tricks
- Color Selection – While natural colors such as black, brown & red seem the obvious options, consider tying this pattern as an attractor as well. Though not as commonly sold, you can find these foam cylinders in purple and green.
- Windy Days – Terrestrials, ants included, are a go-to when targeting trout in late summer. They’re active and abundant in stream side vegetation and make for an easy meal any time they end up on the water. Given the frequency of these easy meals increases substantially as the winds increase, ant patterns are a perfect option for breezy days. Tie one on and cast under overhanging vegetation, up against an undercut back or into an eddy where debris is collecting. Odds are there’s an eager trout somewhere nearby who will appreciate the offering.
Proof of Concept
Truth be told, this is a new fly to my box. While I hope to fish it in the months ahead, I’d invite this site’s subscribers to email me photos of any fish you’ve caught on this pattern. I’ll be happy to share below.
Tight Line!
Chris
Species Caught on the Bionic Ant Fly to Date:
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