Bodkin / Patterns

Longhorn Beetle

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook standard dry-fly hook, 12-16
  • Thread black 8/0

Materials

  • Foam sheet Black craft foam mm (2mm, one strip a hook-gap wide)
  • Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (3-4 strands)
  • Rubber legs Black ostrich herl (4 strands (2 legs, 2 antennae))
  • Foam indicator Orange foam strip (small square)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread mid-shank. Cut a strip of 2mm black foam about one and a half shank lengths long and one hook-gap wide, and bind its rear end down at the bend, leaving a short tag hanging past the bend to trim last.
  2. Bind two black rubber-leg strands pointing forward over the eye, splayed in a V for antennae, each about one shank long.
  3. Tie in 3-4 peacock herls, advance the thread to the 75% mark, and wrap the herl forward in touching turns for a fat glossy body; bind and snip.
  4. Tie two rubber-leg strands across the shank at the 60% mark and figure-8 them so they splay to the sides; trim each to one shank length.
  5. Pull the foam strip forward over the back to form the shell and bind it at the 80% mark with light tension so the foam domes rather than crushes.
  6. Punch a small orange foam square and bind it on top at the tie-down point for visibility.
  7. Whip finish under the foam head, snip the rear foam tag to a short stub past the bend, and add a drop of head cement.

Tying videos

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