Buddy, Quinn and a Few Ants for Good Measure

Summertime is officially here. Each year Laurie and I like to take in a few concerts and this year will be no exception. Friday night we had the pleasure of seeing Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy at the Meadowbrook Music Festival. We both we able to scratch someone off our concert bucket lists. While Laurie was more interested in seeing Jonny Lang, I couldn't wait to see the guitar master Buddy Guy.  Both put on a great show.  Towards the end of Buddy's show he told the crowd that he has a special guest to introduce. That special guest was 13 year old Quinn Sullivan.  This kid came out and tore it up! I could not believe how well he played.  Can you imagine being 13 years old and sharing the spotlight with a legend like Buddy Guy?  It was nice to see the kid after the show signing his album of the fans. If you get a chance check out his album Cyclone. This kid will be a superstar someday.

In addition to great concerts the summer also brings along some great terrestrial fishing. One of my favorite terrestrials to fish is the simple ant.  If you look around ants are everywhere and if the wind is blowing even slightly they will be blown into the water and instantly pounced on by a near by trout. They can be fished either wet or dry. While they are very productive while fishing them tight to the bank, I prefer to bounce them off a log extending out into the river. For me this always produces some nice fish. 

Here is a nice basic ant pattern that has been around for ever.

Black Ant

Black Ant

Hook: Mustad 94840 #14-24

Thread: Uni 8/0 Black

Body and Thorax: Black Dubbing

Hackle: Black Hackle

Step One

Start Thread

Step Two

Dub thread and create a round body segment

Step Three

Tie in hackle feather

Step Four

Wrap hackle forward four wraps

Step Five

Apply dubbing to thread and create front body section. Whip finish.