Fly Fisherman - February 13, 2012

Foam Beetle

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.

Step 12

Pull the moose hair legs down and trim them just a bit longer than the hook gap.

Foam Beetle

Recipe: Hook: TMC 100Sp-BL #10-20 Thread: Back 6/0 Shellback: Black Fly Foam Legs: Moose Hair Body: Peacock Herl Indicator: Orange Fly Foam

Recommended Articles

Chip's Monster Magic. Designed in Saskatchewan's pike paradise - works anywhere.

Fly Tying

Fly Tying Chip's Monster Magic Fly

Dwayne 'Chip' Cromarty - January 15, 2016

Chip's Monster Magic. Designed in Saskatchewan's pike paradise - works anywhere.

These dense, indestructible nymphs will improve your subsurface game.

Fly Tying

Perdigon Nymph

Charlie Craven - January 15, 2019

These dense, indestructible nymphs will improve your subsurface game.

The Kamikaze Sculpin is easy to tie, versatile, and smartly designed to get the job done.

Fly Tying

Tying the Kamikaze Sculpin

Charlie Craven

The Kamikaze Sculpin is easy to tie, versatile, and smartly designed to get the job done.

These tips can save you heartache when fishing is hot.

Beginners

How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet

Jay Nichols - June 09, 2020

These tips can save you heartache when fishing is hot.

Perhaps the most important aspect of hunting big trout in big water is the mental game.

Flies

Flies and Strategies for Big Tailwater Browns

Blane Chocklett

Perhaps the most important aspect of hunting big trout in big water is the mental game.

Squaretail would make a welcome and visually striking addition to any angling library.

Other

Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout and Where to Find Them

Bill Bowers - June 30, 2020

Squaretail would make a welcome and visually striking addition to any angling library.

See More Recommendations

Popular Videos

Thomas & Thomas Paradigm

Thomas & Thomas Paradigm

Thomas & Thomas Paradigm

Bull Trout Bastion

Bull Trout Bastion

Hilary Hutcheson fishing for bull trout in the Elk River of B.C.

Rio Technical Trout

Rio Technical Trout

Rio Technical Trout

Getting Started In Fly Fishing

Getting Started In Fly Fishing

Getting Started In Fly Fishing

See More Popular Videos

Trending Articles

These tips can save you heartache when fishing is hot.

Beginners

How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet

Jay Nichols - June 09, 2020

These tips can save you heartache when fishing is hot.

You don't always catch large trout in these alpine lakes and streams, but even the small ones are brightly colored treasures.

Trout

Alpine Lakes for Remote Monsters

Landon Mayer - April 18, 2018

You don't always catch large trout in these alpine lakes and streams, but even the small ones...

The push for native trout preservation is at the forefront of fisheries management in the West.

Trout

Rainbow Trout Suppression on the South Fork of the Snake River

Boots Allen - June 25, 2020

The push for native trout preservation is at the forefront of fisheries management in the West.

It's a land of beautiful rivers, friendly people, and like a magnet it will draw you back.

Worldwide

South Island: The Mount Everest of Trout Fishing

Barry Beck | Photography & Text - September 25, 2019

It's a land of beautiful rivers, friendly people, and like a magnet it will draw you back.

See More Trending Articles

More Gear

The comfortable high-cushion midsole allows you to go for miles and get there quickly.

Accessories

Simms Flyweight Wet Wading Shoe

Ross Purnell - June 30, 2020

The comfortable high-cushion midsole allows you to go for miles and get there quickly.

Lab-tested for superior results — the new SlickCast fly line is most durable coating on the market.

Lines

RIO Slickcast Fly Lines

Fly Fisherman Staff - July 28, 2020

Lab-tested for superior results — the new SlickCast fly line is most durable coating on the...

The exterior fabric is 100% recycled polyester ripstop with weather-resistant TPU film laminate.

Accessories

Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel

Ross Purnell - June 11, 2020

The exterior fabric is 100% recycled polyester ripstop with weather-resistant TPU film...

Lab-tested for superior results — the new SlickCast fly line is most durable coating on the market.

Lines

RIO Slickcast Fly Lines

Fly Fisherman Staff - July 28, 2020

Lab-tested for superior results — the new SlickCast fly line is most durable coating on the...

More You May Be Interested In

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Subscribe Now