Start the thread near the eye of the hook using a jamb knot. Remember to leave head space.

Wrap the thread to the rear of the hook stopping at a point approximately half way down the bend of the hook.

Wrap the thread forward to a point about half body length. Then proceed to wrap back and forth to form the rear section of the ant. The rear section should end up looking like a croissant.

Prepare the hackle and tie down at the half body point. Tie in the feather by the butt and wrap 2-4 turns.

Tie off the hackle and trim excess. For larger flies (10,12) make two more body sections by going back and forth with the thread to resemble thorax and head of an ant.

Finish the fly with a whip finish knot or half hitches. Put head cement over the entire body of the ant.

Vary the color of thread to match the naturals.

Trim the hackle to get proportional legs.

For selective trout trim the hackle off the top and bottom of the fly leaving legs only on the sides.