FLY OF THE MONTH
Goeben’s Foam Beetle
Hook: Standard Dry Fly, size 12 or size of preference
Under Body: 3-4 twisted strands of Peacock Herl
Thread: Black (or color to match shell back)
Legs: Silly legs, elastic band legs, or peacock hurl
Shell back body: Black, orange, yellow, or olive closed cell foam
Indicator: Orange or chartreuse poly or yarn
Begin by wrapping your thread from the eye of the hook to the bend. Tie in the shell back body.
You can cut your own beetle bodies with a piece of brass tubing or a discarded bullet cartridge. If
you make your own, crimp the tubing so that the body shape resembles an egg with a little tab to
tie the shell back body onto the hook. The narrow or “egg top” will serve as the beetle head once
you make a few wraps across it, or simply buy some precut bodies. Next tie in 3-4 pieces of
peacock herl. Twist them together and wind to approximately ¾ of the hook shank. Tie in 3
pairs of legs at the end of your peacock herl wraps. There is a ton of new “leg” material out
there. If you so desire you can even use peacock herl. Trim the legs by cutting on a diagonal
down to the hook point. Fold over the closed cell foam and take a few wraps. That’s the main
body of the beetle. The little ‘tab’ in front is your beetle head. Tie in a piece of poly or yarn as a
strike indicator over your newly made wraps.
When the summer gets hotter on the Hous, and the major hatches have ended, its terrestrial
time. When you fish your beetle you want it to “plop!” it in the water. I can’t tell you how many
times I’ve had a strike doing this. Try it along the riverbank and tree overhangs. My favorite
beetle colors are orange and yellow. How many times have you seen trout hitting your nymph
indicators!
If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be
reached at 203 734-7879 or e-mail me at pdinice@snet.net.
Goeben’s Foam Beetle
Hook: Standard Dry Fly, size 12 or size of preference
Under Body: 3-4 twisted strands of Peacock Herl
Thread: Black (or color to match shell back)
Legs: Silly legs, elastic band legs, or peacock hurl
Shell back body: Black, orange, yellow, or olive closed cell foam
Indicator: Orange or chartreuse poly or yarn
Begin by wrapping your thread from the eye of the hook to the bend. Tie in the shell back body.
You can cut your own beetle bodies with a piece of brass tubing or a discarded bullet cartridge. If
you make your own, crimp the tubing so that the body shape resembles an egg with a little tab to
tie the shell back body onto the hook. The narrow or “egg top” will serve as the beetle head once
you make a few wraps across it, or simply buy some precut bodies. Next tie in 3-4 pieces of
peacock herl. Twist them together and wind to approximately ¾ of the hook shank. Tie in 3
pairs of legs at the end of your peacock herl wraps. There is a ton of new “leg” material out
there. If you so desire you can even use peacock herl. Trim the legs by cutting on a diagonal
down to the hook point. Fold over the closed cell foam and take a few wraps. That’s the main
body of the beetle. The little ‘tab’ in front is your beetle head. Tie in a piece of poly or yarn as a
strike indicator over your newly made wraps.
When the summer gets hotter on the Hous, and the major hatches have ended, its terrestrial
time. When you fish your beetle you want it to “plop!” it in the water. I can’t tell you how many
times I’ve had a strike doing this. Try it along the riverbank and tree overhangs. My favorite
beetle colors are orange and yellow. How many times have you seen trout hitting your nymph
indicators!
If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be
reached at 203 734-7879 or e-mail me at pdinice@snet.net.