Bodkin / Patterns

Fathead Beetle

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

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

Materials

  • Shell/Head Black ostrich herl (2mm foam strip, shank length)
  • Body Peacock ice dub (3-4 herls)
  • Legs Black ostrich herl (fine rubber, 1 strand)
  • Indicator Hi-vis orange (small foam dot)

How to tie it

  1. Mount a standard dry hook and lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Bind in a shank-length strip of black foam at the bend with the tag pointing back.
  3. Tie in 3-4 peacock herls and wind a full body forward to the 75% mark.
  4. Figure-8 a strand of black rubber across the middle for splayed legs and trim to a shank length.
  5. Pull the foam forward over the body and bind it behind the eye, leaving a stubby overhang.
  6. Fold the foam tag back on itself to build a fat, blunt head hood, then lock it with a couple of turns.
  7. Add a tiny hi-vis foam dot on top as a sight point and whip finish.

Tying videos

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