Hi Viz beetles hassle

[Spider]

Tying season going splendidly overall, even the Klinks look deadly - toptip: tiny bit of superglue under the wingpost stops it budging...

However, tried some foam ants tonite and none floated correctly. Was using a tiny wingpost as a sighter, black closed cell foam, metallic peacock dubbing and those new varivas terrestrial hooks.

Damned things aint floating right....tend to lie on their sides in the film....should i use a heavier dry fly hook?

[Spider]

any takers on this ? Tks

[A. Fluker]

Forget the dubbing and try a genetic hackle in proportion with the front and rear. Ensure the posts (F&R) are even. when teh fly lands on the water in a fall of ants then it really won't matter.

Take a look at a few further examples here:-

YouTube - Complete Fisher Ant Swap

YouTube - Complete Fisher Ant Swap

Hope that helps.

[Spider]

Lovely stuff there Loopy.

I'm still a bit wary of foam though because it would sit right when put in water.

Will have to try one of two of those.......

[wobbly face]

Are you getting the foam to lie on the back of the hook centered? If not centered properly it could cause the fly to to land on that side where there is more foam.
I use a metal wing cutter to press out the back in foam, nice even shape and equal on both sides.

[andy macbog]

Hiya,

When that happens to me, such as with CDC & Elkses, its because the dubbing/CDC is too wispy around the fly which then tends to rest on the projecting fibres. Maybe you could try peacock herl instead of dubbing? That's what I use as it matches the irridescence of the shield bugs that I am usually trying to emulate when fishing beetles. Or comb the projecting fibres so that they project level with or above the shank of the fly?

On the bright side you are acheiving a cunning positioning of the hook employed in some spinners. So top marks for stratagem, none for appropriate employment!

Andy

[Spider]

I'm gonna have to try these again lads - i dont give up easy!

Or some of the alternatives.

I'm looking to go quite small - size 16/18

[spider316]

Spider,
For hi viz beetles I use the same pattern as shown here
The Lakeland Beetle - Lakeland Fly-Tying Limited
I just add some bright aero wing under the whip finish.
They usually lie the right way up on the water. I havent used the terrestrial hooks, but given that lakeland are using them in the above pattern, I doubt they are the problem.
I can't see much being different between an ant and a beetle tied in foam as the principle and materials are the same ... just more segmented.

One pattern I do prefer is a parachute version, I just like the idea that the hackle gives an impression of movement on the surface as opposed to a dead lump of foam.
A hackle tied around the hi viz post should balance the flies out.