Ant and Termite

ADULT SIZE: 8-20 mm (5/16 to 3/4 in)

ADULT COLOR: Black, dark brown, red, red and black; white (termite)

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Some are winged, but others are not.

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About Ants and Termites

Ants and termites are terrestrial insects. While they are different orders, it's useful to group them together here because the imitations and tactics are similar.

Many ants and termites live in trees, and some of those trees are near rivers or lakes. When the wind blows, it often blows a few of them onto the water. Trout are used to seeing them--and used to making a meal of them. On many lakes and streams, a dry fly that imitates an ant or termite is an excellent choice in the summertime, especially when the wind has been blowing.

Articles About Ants

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Terrestrials Trout food comes from above as well as from below. In late summer, you can ask you fishing partner, "Do have an extra terrestrial?" Dave Hughes and Rick Hafele

Tying Better Ants Ants can form an important part of the summer diet of trout in both rivers and lakes. Learn what makes an effective ant pattern. Jeff Morgan

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/
COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Adult

Ant

10-16/Black, brown, red-brown

Chuck-and-sit, Standard dry fly

Lakes; rivers