Black Ant (Terrestrial)
A terrestrial fly imitating Formicidae, fished in June, July, August, September across the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountain, Pacific Northwest, Southwest.
Open in Hatch Matcher →Quick facts
- Stage: Terrestrial
- Imitates: Formicidae
- Hook sizes: #14, #16, #18
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Water temp: 55–75°F
- Water types: Freestone, Spring Creek
- Best months: June, July, August, September
- Regions: Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountain, Pacific Northwest, Southwest
- Target species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Bass, Carp, Panfish
How to tie the Black Ant (Terrestrial)
Hook: Tiemco TMC 100, sizes 14-18
Thread: Uni 8/0 Black
Materials
- Hook: Tiemco TMC 100, #14-18
- Thread: Uni 8/0 Black
- Abdomen: Black dubbing (large round ball, rear)
- Waist: Black thread (thin narrowing)
- Thorax: Black dubbing (smaller ball, front)
- Legs: Black hackle (2-3 turns) or knotted black monofilament
- Wing (optional): White poly or CDC for visibility
Tying steps
- Mount hook. Build a thread base.
- At the rear 2/3 of the hook, dub a large round ball of black dubbing — this is the abdomen.
- Wrap thread forward through a narrow waist section.
- Dub a smaller ball of black dubbing at the front 1/3 — this is the thorax.
- Tie in a black hackle feather at the waist; make 2-3 turns between the two dubbing balls.
- Optional: tie in a small white poly wing indicator flat over the waist.
- Build a neat head, whip finish, apply head cement.