Bodkin / Patterns

Black Beetle

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry-fly hook, 12-16
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Underbody Peacock ice dub (2-3 peacock herls)
  • Shell Black ostrich herl (2mm black foam strip, one gap wide)
  • Legs Black ostrich herl (Black round rubber legs)
  • Indicator Orange permanent marker (Small tab of orange foam or para post)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start thread, then bind a strip of black foam at the bend so the tag end points back over the tail.
  2. Tie in 2-3 peacock herls and twist them into a rope with the thread for a buggy underbody.
  3. Wrap the herl rope forward to the 70% mark and tie off.
  4. Fold the foam over the back to form the shell and bind it down at the 70% mark, leaving a stub for the head.
  5. Pull one rubber leg to each side and figure-8 them in place at the tie-down point, then trim to gap length.
  6. Add a small orange foam tab on top for visibility, whip finish under the foam head, and trim the head stub short.

Tying videos

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