Bodkin / Patterns

Fathead Beetle 2.0

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard dry-fly hook, 14
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Shell/Head Black over orange (2mm black foam over thin orange foam)
  • Body Peacock ice dub (3-4 herls)
  • Legs Black ostrich herl (fine rubber, 2 strands)
  • Indicator Orange permanent marker (foam sight tab (from underlayer))

How to tie it

  1. Mount a dry hook and lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Double-layer the shellback: bind a black 2mm foam strip over a thin orange foam strip at the bend so the finished beetle shows a hot underside.
  3. Wind a peacock-herl body forward to the 70% mark for iridescent flash.
  4. Figure-8 two strands of black rubber for a six-legged silhouette and trim to a shank length.
  5. Pull both foam layers over the body and bind them behind the eye.
  6. Fold the foam back to form the signature fat head hood, then trim the orange layer to leave a visible sight tab on top.
  7. Whip finish under the head and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

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