Beetles, otherwise known as trout candy, are some of the most readily available terrestrials through out the summer time in WNC. All sizes and colors can be found on the ground or climbing in the trees. Weather fished as a single dry fly or trailing a larger dry, I always make sure to have an ample amount in my box. Some of the wariest fish in the area fall victim to a well paced beetle. With the majority of this fly being tied out of foam it is also a great rough water fly.

Materials Required:

Hook:   Tiemco 100 (sz12-20)  CWO# 2395

Thread:   Black Veevus 16/0  CWO# 3231

Body:  Peacock Herl   CWO# 14660

Indicator:   3mm Yellow or Red Foam  CWO# 1269

Legs:   Small round rubber legs  CWO# 6875

Back:   3mm Black Foam  CWO# 1266

Anchor thread and make a thread base.

Cut 1/2″ thick strip of black foam 3″ long. Line foam up 1/4″ back from the eye of the hook and tie in. While tying in keep the foam parallel to the hook extra foam hanging over the bend.

Tie in three strands of peacock herl tip first. Make sure that you are wrapping in the herl all the way to the bend of the hook.

Cut 4 strands of small black rubber legs 2″ long. Tie 2 strands of legs in on each side of the hook 2/3 up the hook shank. 2 loose wraps and cinch on the 3rd to flare. Advance thread to behind eye.

Twist the strands of peacock for durability and wrap up the shank of the hook making sure to make all wraps close to the one before. When reaching the legs make sure to weave in and out.

Tie of herl and trim excess.

Pull foam up over back of fly and tie off with 3-4 tight wraps.

Cut a small 1/4″ x 1/4″ square of read foam and trim in from 2 opposite side until there is 1/16″ left uncut between the slits.

Place small foam square on top of thread wraps with one of the slits pointing toward the front and the other straight back. Make your thread wraps over the remaining foam between the slits.

Cinching wraps will make the foam flare into what looks to be 4 individual points. This allows even more visibility with the same amount of foam.

Whip finish and cement.

Trim legs to desired length. Try tying in numerous sizes and colors and you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome!