Big Sky Anglers Featured Fly – JoJo’s Ant, Royal

Big Sky Anglers Featured Fly – JoJo’s Ant, Royal

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  • Originator:  Joe Moore, BSA Co-owner
  • Hook: TMC 100 or equivalent, #12, 14, or 16
  • Thread: 8/0 Uni, Rusty dun
  • Tail: Widows Web, Black
  • Abdomen: Ice Dub, Red
  • Thorax: Ice Dub, Black
  • Wing: Widows Web, Light Tan
  • Legs: MFC Barred Sexi Floss, Golden Yellow
  • Foam: Razor Foam, Tan

At some point during the summer of 2005, while living at Howard Creek Ranch, I came up with this ant pattern out of necessity.  I needed a pattern that not only anglers in my boat could see but could also float a nymph from time to time. The dubbing balls covered by foam and then dressed with the Widow’s Web wing make this pattern a perfect choice. I have fished this fly all over Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and South America; it works everywhere.

– Joe

Big Sky Anglers Featured Fly – JoJo’s Callibaetis Cripple

Big Sky Anglers Featured Fly – JoJo’s Callibaetis Cripple

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  • Originator:  Joe Moore, BSA Co-owner
  • Hook: TMC 100 or equivalent, #14, or 16
  • Thread:
  • Tail: Moose body hair
  • Body:  Goose or Turkey Biot, Callibaetis
  • Hackle: Grizzly
  • Wing: Widows Web, Light Tan

Hebgen Lake is a special place to most of us here in West Yellowstone.  Each season we look forward to catching good fish on dry flies, especially during the Callibaetis hatch.  This fly, while tied to fish like a cripple can also be fished like a spinner.  If you cut the hackle flush with hook it will sit more like a spinner.  In a size #14, this fly works really well on the Madison too.  – Joe