Chernobyl Ant - The Best Foam Fly? - McFly Angler Fly Tying Tutorial

Chernobyl ants are probably one of the most popular foam flies around if not the most popular. They are basically unsinkable, are relatively easy to tie, have lots of movement with the legs, and the color combos are endless. These can be tied very large, but its possible to get them quite small as well. In fact I like tying these for small sunfish which have very tiny mouths. I usually tie them down to a size 16 even. Many people will fish these much larger for Trout and even larger yet for Bass. I have seen some in the size range of 2-4 even. Quite large. Of course at that size you would want to use a thicker foam more than likely like the 3-4mm size. When tying down to size 16, occasionally I will use the 1mm size foam for the top piece to keep from bulking the fly up too much. Either way, adjust things for your local waters. Tie them in whatever size or color you want. They are fun to tie, and when you get the hang of it, you can pump them out pretty quickly.

Being a foam fly, especially one with so much foam on it, you can imagine they float very well. Also they are very visible on top of the water and there is no issue with trying to find them no matter how far you cast, or how choppy the water is. In fact, I think of them more like an Indicator with a hook on in. Many times out fishing for trout, I notice they will occasionally hit my indicator. If the river permits it, I will use the Chernobyl as my indicator and then sink a tunsten nymph behind it. This allows me to have a hook connected to my "indicator" and those frustrating indicator bites can become a bent rod.

To be honest I dont really see this as an ant imitation unless tied in one of the very small sizes (like 14-16). A world where ants are 3" long is not a place I want to live. However they do seem to be more of a generalized pattern. They can mimic hoppers, stoneflies, or just about anything else that floats on the top of the water. Many times trout will sip up things that aren't food mistaking it for something. More of a reaction bite. So I believe thats what this is, a reaction bite fly. Something bright, easy to see, that the trout says, hey there is something. Then takes a bite without inspecting it first.

Materials
_____________

Tools
________

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ My Shirts and other Merchandise! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Follow Me on Social! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[TWISTED]

Tried this this morning about 11 am caught a 1.15lb small mouth 4 wt. Could see the fish coming from the depths to get it was so excited. Missouri creeks!

[glaw]

Bro I love this pattern for bass and such and ever for trout I just got I to tying and love the tutorials you give it turned out perfectly love to the the in-depth tuts tsym!

[Hen_]

Everyday I wake up and check my notifications and I am so exited when I see that blue dot

[brianfeeney]

A True Winner
Black with Purple, Black with Red, and Purple with Red ……. Also ….. Go Tiny for Amazing Results !!!!
Great Content …. Thank You 😊
Blessings 🙏🏻
Brian
✨🎣💫

[brunomarquezan]

Just had a great experience with this tipe of flies here in Brazil... I think is a must have for sure.

[anotheroutdoorchannel...]

I like this; super simple with great explanation as always! Thanks!

[barbaraemerich]

Wow! Can’t wait to go Ty this guy up! Great video

[Beardedfurflinger]

Awesome video, like a prince nymph, woolly bugger or pats rubber leg, should be a staple in staple in everyone's box, color combos are left to the imagination or tier, great hopper/dropper fly or by itself size # 8 to 14, I prefer a # 12 or 14 in a rootbeer over tan with pumpkin silly legs, great local hopper imitation, tight lines & bent rods 🤙

[theminnowmaster]

Thanks for showing this awesome fly! I wanted to ask you a question. What kind of flies would you use for fish such as carp?

[leerichy]

Nice work. Big northern grayling eat these things no problem.

[creatorsimcreatorsim]

hello I kindly ask you what is the name of the tool to wind and use the thread by running it like this, thank you

[Thewoodenalchemist]

Hey is there any fly shops in San Antonio