Overview
This Shimazaki pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a sophisticated approach to ant imitation that emphasizes the natural properties of CDC. The pattern is named after legendary Japanese tier Masami Shimazaki, known for innovative CDC techniques. The construction creates the distinctive segmented body shape of natural ants - a bulbous abdomen, narrow waist (created by the hackle), and rounded head. The mixed dun and white CDC creates a subtle, natural-looking wing that also provides flotation without the bulk of traditional wing materials. The black hackle is wrapped sparsely and then trimmed on top and bottom, leaving fibers extending horizontally to suggest the splayed legs of a struggling ant. This trimming technique is key to achieving the proper low-riding profile.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Terrestrial ants tumble from overhanging branches and grasses, becoming trapped in surface tension with their segmented bodies visible from below. Fish recognize these protein-rich windfalls as consistent warm-weather food sources worth patrolling banks to intercept.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Fish take ants along grassy banks, beneath overhanging trees, and in foam lines where currents concentrate these terrestrials. Lakes and streams near vegetation both produce.
- How to Fish It
- Cast tight to banks and let the fly sit motionless for 10-20 seconds before subtle twitches. Dead drift through foam lines and eddies where wind collects terrestrials.
- Best Water
- Target foam lines where wind gathers insects, undercut banks with overhanging grass, calm eddies at tail-outs, and bank edges near terrestrial cover.
- Strike Type
- Expect confident rises or gentle sips as fish inspect the low-riding profile before committing.
Fishing strategy
- Rigging Suggestions
- Fish on a 12-foot leader tapering to 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. The CDC provides natural flotation - avoid paste floatants that can mat the CDC fibers. Use a desiccant powder if needed to restore flotation.
- Seasonal Timing
- Most effective during when ants are active and frequently end up on the water. Particularly productive during windy conditions that blow terrestrials onto the surface.
- Pro Tips
- The white CDC mixed with dun provides visibility for the angler while the overall CDC wing keeps the fly floating in the film. The pattern rides low like a natural ant, making it highly effective on selective fish.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
Entomology
Ants float helplessly in the surface tension after falling from overhanging vegetation, their segmented bodies creating a distinctive profile. Fish feed opportunistically on terrestrial ants because summer winds and rainstorms deliver concentrated numbers of these nutritious insects directly into feeding lanes.
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Formicidae
- Common name
- Ant
- Organism
- terrestrial
- Life stage
- adult
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Stillwater
- Japan
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- hopper-season
- classic
- modern
- searching-pattern
- low-clear-water
