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Foam Beetle
Foam Beetle View this recipe at Charlie's FlyBox
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Pattern Foam Beetle
Foam Beetle
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Category Terrestrials
Entered Mon, 20 Sep 2004
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Hook: TMC 100SPBL #8-20 Thread: Black 8/0, 6/0 or 70 Denier, depending on fly size. I switch to the smaller thread at about a size 18. Shell: Black Foam, 2-3mm. depending on the fly size Underbody: Peacock Herl Dyed Bright Green Legs: Black Krystal Flash HotSpot: 2mm yellow, orange, white or chartreuse foam, punched out with a hole punch and glued on the back.
Pattern Description
This little foam beetle has been a secret weapon in my arsenal for several years. You can use this fly anytime during the season and have good chances of pulling fish up. Beetles are very common and fish are usually on the lookout for them. I fish them along the banks most often but also have a lot of fish eat them out in the middle. Beetles can fly so they can find themselves anywhere from bank to bank. I usually tie my beetles without an indicator as I think it can sometimes turn the fish off. Often the fly will land upside down as well, and the bright spot makes no sense to the fish. They will eat a plain fly with no indicator when it's upside down but not if it has a big yellow dot on it! I use a lot of Zap-A-Gap when tying my beetles and other foam flies. The glue adheres well to the foam and adds great durability. I think you'll like the trick for splaying the legs as well.