"There is no question that the Missing Link has become my favorite dry flies in most trout fishing situations. There is something in its appearance to fish that engenders a sense of confidence that it is food, and safe to eat.
So when I experienced predictable occurrences of the bi-colored flying "honey" ants on rivers fished in the Rockies - and less than predictable hookup results - I decided to integrate the design into a terrestrial pattern.
Wanting to be freed from the limitations of a hook shank on which to create the pattern's body, I tied the ant's rear segment out of a furled hank of dubbing. This extended segment becomes heavy and fleshy in appearance when wet, and even allows for a bit of movement on/in the water when fished.
The forward segment is a simple ball of dubbing tied onto the shank, and as with the naturals I've seen, in a contrasting color to the rear extension.
The rest of the fly is classic Missing Link, with Z-Lon down wings imitating those of a flying ant, and the elk wing and parachute hackle providing the buoyancy needed.
Trout everywhere love flying ants, and a few of these Honeys in the box can save the day when fish suddenly have eyes for nothing else."
- Signature Tyer Mike Mercer
