Gribb Swizzle Ant
by John Gribb

The next time you are enjoying your drink at a dinner outing take a good look at the end of your swizzle straw. Most swizzle straws are the perfect diameter of foam ant patterns!

First: Take the straw home and carefully cut a 2 inch section without crushing the end. A razor blade would work best.

Second: Find a nail shaft that perfectly fits snuggly into one end…cut the nail about 1 inch long this will be the end you tighten into a electric drill…the nail prevents the straw from collapsing!

Third: find or purchase some closed cell foam blocks. Flip flops (large size) can be purchased at the end of summer in a variety of stores for a buck which will be enough for 4000 ants!!. Or if you prefer, fisherman Steve Winters from Sleazy Steve’s Soggy Bottom Fly Shop, sells great foam blocks and tools for use in foam flies/bugs etc. Using the electric drill/straw combination dip the straw into some soapy water and drill slowly into the foam and you have the perfect ant body.

Finally All you have to do now is attach the foam to your hook add Stretch Magic(Hobby Lobby, etc.), plastic/rubber legs or hackle and apply super glue to body/hook junction and you have a great ant!

If you need further information don’t hesitate to e-mail me at jgribb@mhtc.net.