Craig ties a very simple beetle pattern, which, with minor variations, can cover a huge range of naturals.

Whether it be a Tassie gum beetle, western Victorian cockchafer, or the humble tea-tree beetle, Australia is blessed with over 30,000 species of these insects, and there are probably even more yet to be discovered. It’s not surprising then that trout and other fish eat lots of beetles – a they’re a good lump of protein for a hungry trout. And they’re easy prey too: once a beetle hits the water’s surface, they aren’t going anywhere. No wonder trout take beetles in a methodical and deliberate manner. Rather than those splashy spinner or dragonfly rises, anglers will witness casual slurps and ‘clops’ when trout are feeding on beetles.

Beetles of some kind can end up on the water through most of the angling year, but especially on warm summer and autumn days. It won’t surprise you that I find beetle patterns an excellent searching dry fly when the weather is warm, yet nothing much is happening.

Over the years, I’ve seen some very beautiful yet complicated beetle patterns. My go-to pattern is however a very simple dressing which I call the Ringo, in honour of arguably the least complicated member of the famous group.

You can vary the Ringo’s size and tie it in a range of colours to represent the beetles most common to your area. I usually carry green, brown, and black ones in sizes 12 and 14, plus a couple of size 10 black ones.

Because this fly is tied with foam, it is extremely robust and always floats. However, it does sit low in the water, so it can be a little difficult to see. To make it more visible, I sometimes tie in a bit of pink Glo Brite yarn floss on top when I am finishing the fly.

Materials

Hook – Grub, size 10, 12, 14.

Thread – 8/0 black

Body – Peacock herl.

Wing-case – 3mm closed cell foam in black, green, or brown.

Tying instructions (assuming a size 14* beetle).

1. Cut a 6mm strip of the 3mm foam, cutting the end into a point. Tie in the pointed end at the rear of the hook.
2. Tie in three strands of peacock herl. The herl has that wonderful green peacock colour so common to many beetles.
3. Twist the herl around your tying thread – this helps to protect the herl.
4. Generously wind the peacocks herl around the hook shank to create a plump, round body, finishing your thread just behind the hook eye.
5. Fold the foam back over the herl body and tightly lash down.
6. At this stage you can add the Glo Brite yarn or floss if desired.
7. Whip finish behind the hook eye.
8. Finally, with a pair of curved scissors, pull the foam forward and cut the excess close to the hook eye, creating a compact head.

(*For a size 12 hook, cut the foam into 8mm strips, and 10mm for a size 10 hook.)

Fishing instructions

I like to fish the Ringo on warm days, preferably from a bank where the wind is blowing parallel. This ensures the natural beetles are being blown along the bank, not out onto the lake and out of range – or alternatively, blown onto the bank, where they’re of no use to the trout or us!

Note that on late winter and early spring evenings, the Ringo, tied in dark brown on a size 12 hook, is my go-to for when fish are feeding on cockchafer beetles.

Materials

Hook – Grub, size 10, 12, 14.

Thread – 8/0 black

Body – Peacock herl.

Wing-case – 3mm closed cell foam in black, green, or brown.

Tying instructions (assuming a size 14* beetle).

1. Cut a 6mm strip of the 3mm foam, cutting the end into a point. Tie in the pointed end at the rear of the hook.
2. Tie in three strands of peacock herl. The herl has that wonderful green peacock colour so common to many beetles.
3. Twist the herl around your tying thread – this helps to protect the herl.
4. Generously wind the peacocks herl around the hook shank to create a plump, round body, finishing your thread just behind the hook eye.
5. Fold the foam back over the herl body and tightly lash down.
6. At this stage you can add the Glo Brite yarn or floss if desired.
7. Whip finish behind the hook eye.
8. Finally, with a pair of curved scissors, pull the foam forward and cut the excess close to the hook eye, creating a compact head.

(*For a size 12 hook, cut the foam into 8mm strips, and 10mm for a size 10 hook.)

Fishing instructions

I like to fish the Ringo on warm days, preferably from a bank where the wind is blowing parallel. This ensures the natural beetles are being blown along the bank, not out onto the lake and out of range – or alternatively, blown onto the bank, where they’re of no use to the trout or us!

Note that on late winter and early spring evenings, the Ringo, tied in dark brown on a size 12 hook, is my go-to for when fish are feeding on cockchafer beetles.