Pyramid Lake Popcorn Beetle: Stillwater Pattern

In this video, Simon ties a proven pattern for monster Lahontan Cuttroat Trout in Pyramid lake. It is that time of year where anglers all over the world are gearing up with dreams of catching a massive Lahontan Cutthroat Trout while being perched on top of a ladder. Although some would argue that bringing a ladder to fish from shore is an unnecessary piece of equipment, many will agree this fly is indeed necessary, and an advantage to have in your box.

This fly is fished on a sinking line often sink rates 3-7 either full sink, or multi density. It behaves a lot like a traditional booby fly where on the strip the fly sinks and at the pause it floats back up. The Popcorn Beetle is often paired with a small streamer like a wooly bugger, or a balanced leech. The fly doesn’t necessarily imitate anything they eat, but it is well known that this fly and its action drives those giant Cutthroat nuts. They’re a quick and easy tie, which is perfect when you’re in a time crunch before your trip!

The fly is tied on a Gamakatsu B10S in size 6, although it can be fished in sizes 4-12. This hook has a wide gap and is phenomenal for aiding in more hookups. A marabou tail ads more action to the fly, but it is often omitted; having some with tails, and some “tailless” is to your advantage. Lastly, the foam featured here is the new Hi-Float foam from Hareline has larger cells of air and higher durometer which means it floats higher and is more durable to stretching, pulling, and the pressure of the thread. The foam comes in 2 and 3mm and this fly in particular uses 3mm. Using 2mm would be more appropriate for smaller sizes like 10 and smaller.

Here you can see the large cells on the new foam

Pyramid Lake Popcorn Beetle

Hook- Gamakatsu B10S #6

Thread- Veevus White GSP: 100D

Tail- Hareline Marabou Blood Quills: White

Foam- Hareline 3mm Hi-Float Foam: White 

Chenille- Hareline Medium Cactus Chenille: Chartreuse 

UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry

Bobbin- Stonfo Steeltech Bobbin

Vise- Renzetti Traveler 2304

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