TALES FROM THE VISE - 3

I have been asked to do another "TALES FROM THE VISE" for the HFFA Flyline news letter. So here it is, hope you enjoy. (Step by Step link at the end)

It might be a little early to consider this fall fishing, but it is coming up on us fast.  Fish have been poked and prodded all spring and summer, and are pretty wary but now. So fooling a fish right now can be awful rewarding. One thing is for certain, and that is the fish are still hungry and still want to eat. All be it that they are more selective, your job is to give them something they want to eat. And nothing says full meal deal like a big juice Beetle! This is a favorite of mine. It has fooled many a fish. It is a fun and easy fly to tie. If you do not have a Beetle body cutter, no problem you can easily cut your own with a little practice. Making your herl body bullet proof is the big tip I want to share. Tie in 4 or 5 stands of herl by the tips on the near side of the hook (from 2 eye lengths back behind the eye to the bend). Now make a dubbing loop slightly longer than the herl. The dubbing loop must be tied at the same place you finished tying in the herl at. Now gently wrap the thread dubbing loop around the herl, 5-8 wraps should do. Now take a hackle pliers (I prefer the test clip style for this) and grab the herl and thread together. Now start twisting the herl and thread to form a “chenille like” rope of herl. Once you are satisfied with the look and density of your herl chenille, you can wrap your body. The thread in the herl rope will make this indestructible. No need to counter wrap a rib here. Use this technique anywhere you want nice looking, bullet proof herl.          

Foam Beetle  (Tied and picture by Scott Nordby)

Hook = Size 10 Dry fly (size 12-16 for the light appetites)
Thread = Black  6/0
Under Body = Peacock Herl
Over Body = Black 2MM Craft Foam
* Bodies can be cut by hand or with River Road Creation Cutters
* I prefer the Size 12 Beetle Body cutter
Legs = Round Rubber size medium (Black)
Indicator Post = Hi-Vis or bright foam (2mm cut 1/8” wide)



Foam Beetle step-by-step
*Note: The step-by-step does not have the herl rope technique I described. I will try to work on a new one soon and add it here so please check back in a couple weeks. Thanks.
Thanks
Scott