Beetles are one of my favorite patterns to use on all trout streams throughout the USA. Expect to find the largest concentrations of beetles on mountain streams below shrubs and over hanging tree limbs.
Early in the season (May & June) I use size 14 for the streams in the East then switch to size 16 from June to September. In the Rockies I use size 14 most of the time except on the spring creeks then I switch to size 16.
Often a beetle fly presented with a splat presentation will prompt a strike from a trout that will not take a normal presentation. When I am fishing other drys and nothing seems to be working, I put on a Murray’s Flying Beetle and it seldom lets me down. This year we added the Barbless Beetle, pink which is easy to see on the stream. The Shenandoah National Park has requested that we mash the barbs down on all flies or fish with barbless hooks.
Tying Materials for Murray’s Flying Beetles
Hook: Mustad 94840 or Mustad Heritage R50AP size 14
Thread: Black 6/0 Prewaxed Monocord
Body: Peacock Herl
Back and Legs: Black deer hair
Wing: Light elk hair
Tie your own beetles with our Murray’s Flying Beetle fly tying kit.