While he was owner of The Compleat Fly Fisher shop in Wise River Montana, Phil Wright developed this attractor for fishing the Big Hole River. I believe that one of the reasons for its success is due to the fact that it is actually a good imitation of a flying ant. When tying this fly, don’t make the wing too full and be sure to bind it tightly to the hook to prevent the thorax from becoming too bulky. Palmer the hackle so that the peacock herl shows through.

Hook : Dry fly #12-#16
Abdomen : Rear 1/3 of hook – Peacock herl – Middle 1/3 of hook – Red floss
Wing : Light elk hair
Thorax : Front 1/3 of hook – Peacock herl
Hackle : Dark brown, palmered through thorax

Alan Bowers

Fly tied by Alan Bowers