Terrestrial / Pattern notes

Foam Beetle

A foam shell and peacock belly give a compact beetle profile along banks.

From hook to fly

At the vise.

4 steps

Follow this base recipe in order. The materials list specifies one hook size; adjust proportions together when tying another size.

Prepare shell
Tie a hook-gap-wide foam strip at the bend with most of it extending rearward.
Belly and legs
Wrap a peacock body. Tie a few black hackle fibers across the top near the front as legs.
Fold the shell
Pull foam forward over the body and bind near the eye, leaving a short foam head. Tie a small pink sighter above.
Finish
Whip finish beneath the head and cement the thread. Trim the leg fibers and clear the hook gap.

Beyond the bench

Drift beside grass, overhanging branches, or pond margins where beetles enter the water.

Tied by independent makers

No tyers have listed this pattern yet. Request a custom version, or add your own fly to the library.

Original written instructions adapted from the sources below. Materials and methods may vary between versions.