How to Tie the Amy's Ant Fly Pattern

Fly Tying

Apr 16

The Amy's Ant is a versatile fly pattern that mimics a hopper or a golden stone, making it a must-have in your fly box, especially for waters in Colorado. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying this fly, which has become a staple for anglers on the South Platte and in Cheesman Canyon.

Materials List:

Hook: TMC 50-62 (2x long nymph hook)
Thread: Uni Thread in dark brown
Foam: Tan and brown foam (hook gap width)
Rubber Legs: Medium brown rubber legs
Hackle: Brown hackle feather
Body: Olive crystal chenille
Wing: Rainbow or mixed-color crystal flash
Wing: Yearling elk hair
Dubbing: Peacock-colored dubbing (Emergence Dubbing)
Glue: Zap-A-Gap

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hook and Thread Base

Start with a TMC 50-62 hook and dark brown thread (Uni Thread). Create a solid thread base from the hook eye to the bend, ensuring texture for better foam attachment.

2. Attach the Tan Foam

Trim the corners of the tan foam and measure it to the hook gap length. Tie it upright at the hook bend with a couple of turns and glue it down with a thin layer of Zap-A-Gap.

3. Attach the Brown Foam

Cut a "V" shape from the brown foam and tie it in so that the tips extend just past the tan foam. Make sure it's centered on top of the hook shank.

4. Add the First Set of Legs

Take a strand of medium brown rubber legs and tie it in at the center of the foam on both sides of the hook.

5. Secure Foam and Legs

Use a piece of wire (copper or lead) to pin the foam and legs back out of the way as you continue tying. This prevents them from interfering with the rest of the fly.

6. Attach the Hackle Feather

Tie in a brown hackle feather at the hook bend. This will act as a rib, so tie it down the entire length of the foam body.

7. Add the Olive Crystal Chenille

Tie in olive crystal chenille at the base of the foam. Wrap it forward to create the body, making sure not to build up too much bulk.

8. Spiral Wrap the Hackle

Spiral wrap the hackle feather evenly forward through the body and tie it off at the front.

9. Trim the Hackle

Trim the hackle so you’re left with short stubs, creating a natural, disheveled look.

10. Shape the Foam and Tie in the Wing

Fold the brown foam over the fly and tie it down. Attach a clump of rainbow crystal flash for the underwing and a healthy clump of yearling elk hair for the upper wing.

11. Secure the Wing

Flare the elk hair as you tie it down. Continue with thread wraps to secure the hair, ensuring the wing is positioned correctly.

12. Add Peacock Dubbing

Dub a small amount of peacock-colored dubbing to cover the tie-downs and provide a smooth transition to the foam.

13. Set the Second Set of Legs

Tie in the second set of rubber legs, ensuring they’re even on both sides of the fly.

14. Final Touches

Trim the tan foam to a point, tapering it toward the hook eye. Trim the rubber legs to approximately three-quarters of the hook shank length. Add a small bead of head cement to secure the thread wraps.