Chernobyl Ant Pattern
During the January deep freeze, I find it easiest to daydream about muggy days spent bass fishing. I can’t think of bass fishing in warm water lakes without thinking of foam-bodied bugs. I’ve read that this fly is intended for trout fishing, but mine have always called the "bass" fly box home!
I’m not sure how any tier or fly fisher could not love these things. They are fast, inexpensive, float like…..corks, take an absolute BEATING from fish….and still come back for more! I bought my first ones on a whim, and found them to be very effective on largemouth, smallmouth and a variety of scrappy panfish. I believe the pattern is "Rainy’s" Chernobyl Ant, possibly because of the Rainy’s Float Foam used in it’s construction. Tie some…buy some…just get your hands on some of these ugly bugs!
Tying The Chernobyl Ant Fly Pattern
Hook:#8 3Xlong nymph hook
Thread:Black 3/0
Underbody:Pearl Black Estaz
Overbody:Black closed cell foam~cylinders (sheet foam can be substituted)
Legs:Black, round rubber
Indicator:Red closed cell foam (from a pool toy)
Tie in the Estaz at the bend of the hook.
Cut the foam cylinder at an angle as shown, tie in compressing the foam. Advance the thread to the eye of the hook.
Wind the Estaz forward in tight wraps. In open wraps, wind the thread back about 2/3 of the way to the bend.
Fold the foam forward, keeping it tight. Make 4-5 tight wraps of thread. being careful not to cut the foam. On the far side of the hook, loop a 2" pc. of rubber leg material around the thread and secure it as shown. Repeat on the near side of the hook.
Stroke the foam and legs back and advance the thread towards the eye, approx. the middle of the hook shank.
Pull the foam forward and bind down. Add legs to both sides of the hook in the same manner as in step 4. Cut a strip of red foam approx. 1/4"x1/16" and tie it to the top of the shank at the same point. Advance the thread forward almost to the eye. Be careful not to crowd the eye of the hook. Bind the foam down once more. Cut off the excess foam.
To finish, stroke the legs down evenly and cut them to just under 3/4" long. Pinch the two halves of the indicator together and cut them short.
No floatant required!
Vise by www.peakfishing.com
