The Water Beetle

by Jonathan

This fly is one I have devised after getting some dark green straggle fritz and struggling to find something to do with it. In past years I have had some success with snails which I have tied using black plastazote foam.  I know that some waters do well with terrestrial insects and beetles blown on the water.  I have not come across a convincing pattern for a water beetle, which I know do get taken by trout.  The braid under body imitates the air bubble and the straggle fritz makes the legs when the overbody is pulled over. Leave enough foam after tying off to imitate the head.
This pattern should be fished on a sinking line with a short leader and long slow retrieves. Tie a couple up and give them a try and let me know if you have any success.

The Dressing

  • Hook  –   Long shank light weight  size10 (Kamasan 830).
  • Thread  –  Black.
  • Underbody  –  Orange/white Diamond Braid / Parton Body Czech.
  • Hackle  –  Black/Dark Green Straggle Fritz in open turns..
  • Overbody  –  Strip Black Plasazote 3-4 mm. Square.
    ( It is easier to cut from the block with a knife with a serrated blade. )

Kind Regards Dave C. and the Team

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Foam beatle - Fly Fishing Forums
May 6, 2010 at 1:07 pm

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Robert Cameron October 22, 2014 at 9:37 am

Excellent, simple no frills instruction which was so easy to follow, with the end product resulting in three double figure fish in three sucsessive casts from my local water ( Bessy Beck, Cumbria ). So thank you, and tight lines.

Codey Powell April 11, 2014 at 2:21 am

Dear Dave,
I would like to start by saying your YouTube videos thought me how to tie Flys. For that I’d like to say thank you. I live in eastern Canada. A place called Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Also called the city of lakes. I started using this water beatle and didn’t have much luck until the late season then it became a secret weapon. Everyone wanted one so I thought others how but I told them it was called The Cammiss Beatle. That is now a common name around here for fly fishermen. I’ve seen some new variations but most use your pattern. I just want to let you know that’s the name I gave it here and it stuck. So be proud. It works awesome on warm calm days expecially late in the season. P.S. I always call it varnish and always use a double half hitch at the end. God speed and again thank you good sir.

daniel June 30, 2012 at 7:35 am

that a cool looking fly, I’m only a beginner so I’ve still got stuff to buy .When I do get some equipment I’ll try making this fly.

Daniel.T

Jason May 13, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Hello! I tried to tie the beetle pattern and I used a peacock sword tip to make the legs. It produced excellent legs that are stiff enough to stand off the hook and hairy looking. I have not tried them yet but they are very convincing looking bettles. I dropped it in the water and the stiff legs make the water surface tension bend a little to give that icky beetle bug motion. I used orange yarn too under black foam to cover a pipe. It is very smooth foam too when tightened. Same process. I also have made my own green darner pattern.

These lessons have helped much, and I get better with every pattern. It reminds me of doing the art at college where you simply do one bit at a time with good craftsmanship. Very clear instruction!

John_USA March 23, 2011 at 9:20 pm

I have greatly enjoyed all of your videos, I found your website as I decided to start fly fishing, and learning how to tie flies so easily from your videos greatly encouraged me to get into the sport. Your flies look so realistic and you do a great job at showing people how to tie them, such a good job that a novice such as my self have had no problem replicating these flies with great ease.

chonlathorn February 13, 2011 at 2:21 pm

very good. I want connext to you.

Axel December 23, 2010 at 11:25 pm

Thanks for this great site.
I’m new to fly fishing and new to fly tying, but I’ve been already caught by the magic of it!

john from Connecticut,usa December 17, 2010 at 2:11 am

I just started tying and you are the best, I have learned so much from your demos. Hope you are doing better, Happy Holidays

Byron Fuller September 26, 2010 at 12:51 pm

i am 11 years old and my dad got me to watch you tie the water beetle. We went fishing last saturdat and i caught my first fish on my new flyrod. i tied this fly right before we left and it works thank you for teaching me this fly.

brad April 15, 2010 at 11:26 pm

hey you are a really good fly tier i am now at it and have learned a lot thanks

Sgt.John March 8, 2010 at 6:43 pm

Very good jig. You did a outstanding job in showing how to tie
this jig. I am going to change the hook to a #6 or #8 for
Crappie. I like the legs and body on this Jig.
Again your video’s are Great.
Thank you
ps: I just wish I could have found you site 10 years ago.

james wright September 6, 2009 at 9:36 am

that fly is mad as i cought heaps o trout on it

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