It’s been a few years since I first published the Steve Culton’s Drowned Ant tying video, and with so many new subscribers — particularly those of you who have a keen interest in wet flies — this seemed like a good time to revisit the pattern. I like this as my middle dropper on summer team of three wets. To the vise!
You can read my original post on the Drowned Ant Soft Hackle here.
currentseams.com 
I love the look of this fly and tied one a while back. I wonder, what caused you to tie the hackle in at the head instead of the waist like most ant patterns?
Thanks for the question, Dwight. Two reasons. First, I was trying to go for the traditional North Country spider energy. Second, I have never aspired to do what “most” do. I liked the unique positioning of the hackle. As far as I can tell, the trout do, too!
Steve, I use this Drowned Ant Soft Hackle recently in Montana and caught nice fish on it. One of those windy days when things went as planned.
Outstanding! That’s great to hear. Got any good pics to share?
[…] lovely wild brown from the PTMA, taken by Bob on my Drowned Ant soft hackle. And on the first cast! At first, Bob thought he was hung up on a boulder. But boulders don’t […]