The Water Beetle

by Jonathan on July 21, 2009

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

{ 1 trackback }

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

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

james wright September 6, 2009 at 9:36 am

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!

chonlathorn February 13, 2011 at 2:21 pm

very good. I want connext to you.

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.

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!

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