Here is the fly pattern sheet for a simple Beetle. It may be called a different name, so apologies to the creator.


Materials
Hook:
Dry fly #12 – 18
Thread:
Black 6/0
Body:
Black thread under black 2 mm foam shellback
Legs:
Rainbow shimmer legs or black Flex Floss
Wingcase:
Chartreuse 2 mm foam
Directions:
- Start thread on hook and build a base from the eye to the bend.
- Cut a piece of foam about 1/4 inch wide and a few inches long.
- Tie in foam at hook bend, giving the foam a trim with scissors making a “point” so the foam is less bulky at tie in. Run thread over foam down about 1/2 the hook which adds a little body effect to the fly and aids in flotation. Go back an forth over hook shank, covering foam.
- Bring thread to 1/3 mark and pull foam forward over body to create shell. Tie down, but DON’T CUT remaining foam.
- Wrap thread over left-over foam to create head and trim foam over hook eye, making pronounced head.
- Tie in legs using about one inch of leg material on each side of body between shellback and head.
- Cut slightly thinner piece of bright colored foam and lay over back and tie in over legs. Trim to size.
- Whip finish.
This is a fly Jeff Perin from The Fly FIsher’s Place taught to the Central Oregon Flyfisher’s club in 2018.