Beetles are the most abundant terrestrial insect group, and trout eat them all summer. This simple foam pattern with a peacock herl underbody is one of the most underrated searching patterns for warm-weather dry-fly fishing.
1. Thread base — Attach black thread behind the eye and build a base to the bend.
2. Foam — Cut a strip of black foam to hook-gap width. Tie in at the bend, leaving a tab extending rearward.
3. Underbody — Wind 2–3 peacock herls together from the bend to just behind the eye. Tie off.
4. Shell — Pull the black foam forward over the peacock body and tie down just behind the eye. Trim the front excess but leave a small tab forward of the tie-down for the head.
5. Legs (optional) — Tie in 2–3 rubber legs on each side between the foam layers before pulling the shell forward.
6. Indicator (optional) — Tie in a small piece of orange or yellow poly yarn on top as a hi-vis indicator.
7. Head — Build a small thread head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
Seasons
Water conditions
hook
thread
shellback
body
legs
tag
