The pattern notebook · terrestrial
Egan's Bionic Ant
How do you tie a Egan's Bionic Ant?
Egan's Bionic Ant is a terrestrial fly pattern for trout. Find its 7 materials and 21 tying steps below.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5
- Target species
- trout
- Pattern designer
- Lance Egan
Added to catalog · Updated
At the vise
Materials
- Hook: TMC 101 size 14 (or 18)
- Thread: UTC 70 Denier Black
- Body: Wapsi 1/8" Black Foam Cylinder
- Legs: Wapsi Barred Round Rubber Medium Black/Silver
- Wing: Hareline Dubbin Para Post Wing Light Gray
- Hackle: Dry Fly Hackle Brown (or Black)
- Cement: Wapsi Z-Ment
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Tying instructions
Secure the hook in the vise.
Start the thread behind the hook eye and wrap back to the hook shank halfway point.
Tie in the foam cylinder, extending beyond the hook bend roughly the hook gap.
Zigzag the thread through the foam, being careful not to cut it.
Use securing wraps to hold the foam in place.
Trim the head of the foam to be roughly a hook gap in length.
Tie in the rubber legs with a tag end coming off the back.
Make three to four wraps up the hook shank.
Position the rubber legs where you want them.
Curve the rubber leg around to the other side to utilize all the material.
Tie in the rubber leg on the opposite side.
Tie in the para post wing material, folded in half, on top of the hook shank.
Secure the wing with two to three wraps.
Trim the tag end of the wing, being careful not to pull it out.
Apply a dab of super glue in the center of the materials.
Tie in the hackle.
Wrap the hackle spiraling forward with almost touching wraps, about four to five wraps.
Advance the thread underneath the foam head to the hook eye.
Tie off with a three-turn whip finish.
Trim the legs to roughly the shank of the hook.
Trim the underbelly of the hackle, but not flush.