Fly Fisherman - February 13, 2012

Foam Beetle

Fly tying the foam beetle.

Step 1

Start the thread behind the eye and make a thread base all the way back to and partially down the bend of the hook. Return the thread to the seventy-five percent point.

Step 2

Cut a strip of foam that is about as wide as the hook gap. Cut the end to a tapered point.

Step 3

Tie the tapered point to the hook at the 75% point and wrap back over the foam to just past the bend of the hook.

Step 4

Tie in several strands of peacock herl at the bend.

Step 5

Bring the thread back to the front and tie in six moose hairs with their butt ends facing forward.

Step 6

Clip off the tips of the moose hair that are facing back.

Step 7

Wrap the peacock forward up to and past the moose hair all the way to just behind the eye. Tie off and clip.

Step 8

Pull three moose hairs to each side of the hook with your fingers.

Step 9

Fold the foam forward over the peacock, separating the moose hairs to each side of the fly. Tie the foam down behind the eye with a couple tight turns of thread.

Step 10

Clip the excess foam leaving a short stub for the head.

Step 11

Tie in a narrow strip of orange foam on the joint between the body and the head. Clip the front flush with the black foam and the back a bit longer so you can see it.