Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023 - 17

Fun with foam
For kids, part of the allure of tying with foam material is its
floatability, allowing the Chernobyl Foam Ant to ride high on
the water column and cast a dark silhouette to fish below.
In preparation for the pattern, use spray adhesive and glue
two sheets of 2 mm foam together, with the yellow on the
bottom and the black on the top. Your tier has the choice to
either cut individual rectangular bodies out of the foam or use
a foam cutting tool to shape the body. Handcrafted Chernobylstyle
foam body cutters are available for fly tiers and useful
when tying these patterns in bulk. Many times, I'll create 12
foam bodies ahead of time for my tying students to have on
hand. The black and yellow combination is a favorite, but foam
combinations for alternate or subtle patterns such as tan/black,
red/black, yellow/green, and more can be created for endless
color variations.
When beginning the fly, wrap the entire hook shank with
black thread. If the foam slips off, add a little dubbing or
chenille underneath it before tying it on the shank. This gives
the foam more surface adherence. A small portion of the body
should extend over the hook bend as well as over the hook eye.
The first tie-in point should be directly above the hook barb.
Make several wraps in the same area to secure the foam on the
hook shank.
Luring with legs
At this stage, add in the barred rubber legs on each side
of the pattern. Beginners can add one piece of leg material
at a time, and more advanced tiers can add both in a 1-inch
x-pattern on each side.
Pick up the remaining foam and wrap the thread
towards the eye. Your tier will again secure the foam just
behind the hook eye. Then, add in another set of rubber
legs. Whip finish or half hitch. To finish the pattern, add a
drop of head cement.
If you want to add brighter indicators, tie in small dots of
light-colored foam such as orange, white, or yellow on top of
the pattern when adding in the rubber legs. Tufts of yarn can
also be effective. Research the Chubby Chernobyl for a more
detailed pattern.
Fishing the Chernobyl Foam Ant
Since the fly makes a great attractor in the warmer months,
cast it to banks and under trees where insects drop onto the
water. An upstream cast gives it ample time to float over the
desired target. Kids can cast smaller versions of the pattern
into ponds and lakes for bass, crappies, and sunfish. Tie
these in sizes #12, #14, and #16 hooks and 1 mm foam. The
Chernobyl Foam Ant can also support most dropper nymphs
tied to the hook bend to give fish subsurface options.
Black N' Gold Chernobyl Foam Ant
Hook: 2XL long, #2-#16 dry or nymph
Thread: Black Uni-Thread 3/0
Top foam: 2 mm black foam
Bottom foam: 2 mm yellow foam
Legs: Black/yellow rubber centipede legs
Indicators: 2 mm yellow foam spots
A foam-style cutting kit provides a consistent, tapered body for
the Chernobyl Foam Ant.
Tie the Chernobyl Foam Ant in a larger #2 or #4 pattern or try
a #12, #14, or even #16 for smaller fish.
May/June 2023
17
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2023

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