All ants are social insects,
living in colonies with well-defined castes and divisions of labor. Most colonies
are composed of a large worker caste of wingless, sterile females and a reproductive
caste of winged, fertile males and females, the latter also known as queens.
In addition, each colony has its own distinct odor, which largely determines recognition among members and rejection of outsiders. In spring and fall, some members of the reproductive caste leave the colony in a short mating flight. After mating, males die and females lose their wings and usually begin a new colony, each caring for the first brood of workers by herself.
Ants are usually black, brown, or reddish, and they range between 1mm and 15mm in length. Most ants are scavengers looking for leaves, seeds as well as preying upon other insects. Many of these ant species frequent trees and willows which overhang rivers, streams, and lakes. They often fall and land in the water helpless and vulnerable to feeding fish along the bank and shoreline.
Importance:
Ants seem to be available to trout at two primary times: when carpenter ants make their spring dispersal flights to colonize new territories, and when tiny ants fall from streamside vegetation on warm, windy days in summer and early autumn.
Lots of these ants land on or near water, whether it's moving or still. If you see a few ants or notice discarded ant wings, try an ant pattern. Also, if there are numerous flying ants in the air near the stream bank, a flying ant pattern can work wonders on trout.
The nonwinged ants that drop in from shore in summer and fall are usually very small, size 18 to 22. Black and cinnamon colors the the most typical of these ants. Winged carpenter ants at hat arrive on dispersal flights are larger, size 14 to 16. Browns and blacks are typical colors for flying ants.
Tie your wingless ants
in smaller sizes, in both black and cinnamon, and tie winged ants in slightly
larger sizes in black and brown. Ant patterns are simple to tie and a must
have for summer 
terrestrial fishing in lakes and streams.
Patterns:
Fur Ants, Foam Ants, Deer Hair Ants, and Flying Ants in blacks, browns, and cinnamon colors, size 16-22.