Randyflycaster 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 I've been tying some ants. The problem is, in the past, I had a hard time seeing the ants on the water. So I tied parachute ants. My concern now - after reading La Fontaine's and Marinaro's books on dry fly fishing - is that trout will see the parachute as it approaches their window and the ant won't, therefore, look realistic. (Ants don't have wings.) What I did do was cut the parachutes short. Am I over thinking things? Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 Yes, they do have wings.Kimo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickZieger 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 I have tied parachute ants that work on warmwater fish. Try them and see how they work. Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
planettrout 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 Parachute ants are a common tie... http://www.google.com/search?q=parachute+ant+patterns&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=66e-U8fSB8_xoATB-YGwCA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1279&bih=664 ...and Trout go nuts when flying ants are on the water... PT/TB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fletchfishes 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 Parachute ants work for me on the local tailwater where the water is exceedingly clear and the fish are well educated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henrik Thomsen (DK) 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 I would use a bright colored wing post of poly yarn. Cut it low and burn it with a hot piece of metal. Then it still secures the wing, and gives a high visible spot to look for. Alternative use a piece of foam as wing post. Henrik Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steven Wiersma 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 Like Henrik's suggestion. For trial this weekend, tying some this morning with short posts of yellow, gold, red, white poly yarn. Might tie some in neon colors. Vaguely remember reading an article written by the Penn State fly fishing guru and professor (Joe Humphreys?). To compensate for diminishing eye sight, he was beginning to use "bright" winged flies. His experience was; little difference between high-visibility and drab,standard dries. Presentation being the penultimate determinate in catching fish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 What kind of ants are you tying? I tie foam ones, and when I want black ants, I just put a drop of white nail polish on the back. From MY point of view, I am seeing a white spot in the water. From the fish's point of view ... seems they just see food. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyflycaster 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 I'm trying fur ants. Thanks for the insight. I guess where I fish I don't see flying ants. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilverCreek 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2014 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
André Ribeiro 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2014 Here in Brazil the ants also have wings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stevester 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2014 Flying ants are a very seasonal phenomenon, normally in late summer or fall. When they fall on the water trout go crazy for them but it is not something that you can plan on seeing at a specific time like an aquatic insect hatch. Regular non-winged ants are a very good terrestrial pattern to have during the summer on most rivers. Don't worry about the wing on the parachute, just don't make it too high. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtyburski 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2014 Ants are a good terrestrial pattern, and many have wings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McGnat 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2014 Ants with and without wings find themselves in the water. The winged ones have swarmed to mate. Interestingly they have their mating swarm 24 to 48 hours before rain so the fertilized females can more easily burrow into the ground. How they know it is going to rain is a mystery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites