A couple black ants

[simmons_j_m]

I'll preface it with this: beginner tyer... this is my second fly and I see a few mistakes (butt too small on first ant as one)... I'm posting up these picks because I'd like to get some feedback on how I might improve the fly... working out of a couple books right now, but mostly went with what I expect an ant to look like here...

First Ant with a few mistakes - hook sz. 12, black thread, grizzly hackle



Second Ant a little better - same as above



Thanks for any feedback...

- Justin

[ChrisinselwynNZ]

They are better than the ants I tryed when I started
Try dubbing the body and dont tie around the bend of the of the hook so far.
The body looks good shape wise try a smaller hackle that way it will float better
for the head try 2 turns and whip finnish (if you dont whip finnish 2-3 half hitches with super glue are fine)

over all they are good for your second flies

Chris

[simmons_j_m]

Thanks Chris for the tips... I thought I went a little too much into the bend of the hook. What's the advantage to dubbing the body? Less material? Can I trim the hackle or should I just use a smaller feather? I'll give em another go and see what I come up with... thanks again.

- Justin

[ChrisinselwynNZ]

Dubbing the body will use less thread, look better and can help with floating

Using the smaller feather is better than cutting floating hackle

Chris

[HuronRiverDan]

Looking good for your first ants. As Chris said try tying some with dubbing, they'll float better then the thread bodies. Go with a smaller hackle. You may want to try some foam or deer hair for different versions of your ants...Keep at it you're doing very good...

Dan

[futuramille]

nothing more I can add other than to say you certainly have what's needed to tie flies. Have fun and savor the first time you land a fish on one of your own.

[simmons_j_m]

Thanks guys for the encouraging words... I went ahead and tried a dubbed body and shortened up the hackle... let me know what you think.

sz 12, black dubbing body, grizzly hackle.



sz 12, black dubbing body, med. krystal brown hackle



I'm hoping these things fish well... I got an idea on a nice little section of river for em!

- Justin

[ChrisinselwynNZ]

Great improvement those will float very well and still have a good shape should catch a fish too
Do you have finer dubbing?
The hackle size is much better

Chris

[simmons_j_m]

Originally Posted by ChrisinselwynNZ

Great improvement those will float very well and still have a good shape should catch a fish too
Do you have finer dubbing?
The hackle size is much better

Chris

Thanks Chris. I was given all my supplies by a friend who quit tying, so that is the only black dubbing I have. There are different degrees of fineness? I haven't looked at materials in the shop too much, but I'll keep my eye out for finer material. Thanks for the heads up.

[ChrisinselwynNZ]

Originally Posted by simmons_j_m

Thanks Chris. I was given all my supplies by a friend who quit tying, so that is the only black dubbing I have. There are different degrees of fineness? I haven't looked at materials in the shop too much, but I'll keep my eye out for finer material. Thanks for the heads up.

Justin Ill pm some pics to you of the basics for dubbing materials not all materials you need too buy

Check the fly tying Faq Fly Tying FAQ - The North American Fly Fishing Forum

and peregrines stickey Fly Tying Tips Sticky check this one first

Theres some good info there

Chris