Tying Instructions for a HI Vis Foam Beetle Fly

When the warm months of summer arrive and the emergence of most mayflies subside, terrestrial insects become an important part of a fish's diet. Beetle patterns in particular can work very well and the Hi Vis (high visibility) Foam Beetle fly is an excellent representation of the natural insect. This fly is very effective on lakes and ponds, especially when used for such pan fish as bluegill and crappie. When tied in a color combination of yellow and orange, it makes the fly very visible and easy to spot on a rushing stream. The following recipe is for the black and orange pattern.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly tying vise
  • Bobbin with 6/0 black fly tying thread
  • Size 14 or 16 dry fly hook
  • Black cell foam or fur for body
  • Orange cell foam strip
  • 3 or 4-inch small rubber legs
  • Fly tying scissors
  • Head cement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure a size 14 or 16 dry fly hook in your vise and tie in the tying thread just behind the hook eye. Wind the tying thread around the hook shank to the bend and wind it back again to the eye.

    • 2

      Tie in a 1/4-inch wide strip of black cell foam at the head of the hook, just behind the eye. Make sure the strip of foam extends well past the bend of the hook so that it can be turned back to the hook eye later. Wind the tying thread around the strip down to the bend of the hook and then back again to the eye.

    • 3

      Place two rubber legs across the top of the hook just behind the eye. Make sure they extend from either side of the hook. Tie down the legs with several wraps of thread.

    • 4

      Fold back the black cell foam extending beyond the bend of the hook. Tie it down about a 1/4-inch from the hook eye and trim off any excess with scissors. This forms the body of the beetle.

    • 5

      Extend a 1-inch strip of orange cell foam on top of the body at the hook bend. This will act as the wings of the beetle. Tie in the strip and fold it back over the body to the head just beyond the legs of the fly. Secure the foam with several turns of thread and cut it off close to the head with scissors. Apply a drop of head cement to the thread to keep it from unraveling.