How to Fish With a Chernobyl Ant

The Chernobyl ant is a dry fly pattern that imitates a wide variety of terrestrial insects, depending on the size of the fly and the color of the material. The parachute material on the back of the fly helps it land right side up in the water, while the hackle on the belly makes it ride high in the water. The body is made of foam, with wiggly legs that stick out on either side. As with fishing any dry fly, the key is proper presentation.

Instructions

    • 1

      Select a size and color that matches the local insect fauna. If the fish are feeding on brown adult grasshoppers, select a tan or brown Chernobyl ant on a size 8 hook. If they are feeding on black cricket nymphs, select a black Chernobyl ant in size 10 or 12.

    • 2

      Use a floating main line with a leader and tippet. The leader and tippet length depends on the size of the water you are fishing, and the size of the fish you expect to catch. Use a shorter leader and tippet for smaller waters, and a longer leader and tippet for larger waters.

    • 3

      Tie the Chernobyl ant on the end of your tippet line. Be sure the fly hangs straight on the line. You don't need to add flotation to the fly itself since it is made of foam and hackle, but you may want to spread some on your leader.

    • 4

      Cast the Chernobyl ant upstream. Try to make the fly land as close to the bank as possible. Remember that these insects live on land. When they fall in the water, it's generally close to shore. If you see a spot on land where the fly won't get hung up, you can even cast on to the shore and pull the fly into the water, where it will land with an attention-grabbing splash.

    • 5

      Allow the Chernobyl ant to drift downstream at the speed of the current, until a fish takes it or the line starts to drag. Squeeze the water out of the foam body before the next cast.