Dry FliesDeer Hair Ant
The Deer Hair Ant is a popular terrestrial pattern that trout can't resist. The deer hair body provides excellent floatation, making it great for fishing on the surface during the warmer months when ants are abundant.
Summer
Beginner
Trout
Overview
Tied entirely with spun and clipped deer hair in black or cinnamon shades, this ant imitation relies on tightly packed hair to create buoyancy and profile. The segmented body is shaped from two distinct balls of deer hair, making it both visible and unsinkable.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Daiichi 1180, size #14–#18
Thread: Black UTC 70 denier
Body: Stacked deer hair, black
Wing: Deer hair tips, natural
Head: Stacked deer hair, black, clipped to shape
Fishing Tips
Season
Summer, or whenever ants are active.
Presentation
Cast near the banks or overhanging vegetation where ants are likely to fall into the water. Let it float naturally with the current.
When to Use
In the heat of summer when ants are most active, especially after a rain when they may be washed into the water.
Water Type
Can be used in both stillwater and moving water. Especially effective along the banks of streams and rivers.
Rigging Suggestions
Use a floating line and a tapered leader. Can be used alone or in tandem with a nymph or emerger pattern.
Visibility & Floatation
The deer hair body makes this fly highly visible and very buoyant. It floats well and can be easily spotted on the water surface.
