Hi-Vis Peacock Beetle: Versatile Summer Terrestrial Tying Tutorial

The doldrums of summer have arrived, things are hot, trout are ornery, and aquatic insect hatches are dwindling in the lower sections of our rivers. We are entering a transitionary period in terms of aquatic insect hatches. It is too warm for the fall bugs, and many of the summer hatches are beginning to taper off. This time of year, we have a superhero that swoops in to help get us through this shoulder period: Terrestrials.

Terrestrials refer to land based insects that do not need water to complete their lifecycle. This could be grasshoppers, ants, beetle, crickets, etc. Beetles are on the menu for trout starting about midsummer and trailing off into the fall. They are a more subtle offering and work great on pressured fish that have been seeing chubbies and hoppers all summer. They are simple to tie and can be tied in a variety of colors making them a versatile foundation.

This pattern is tied smaller with a hot spot to aid in visibility. I have been fishing these on our valley tributaries and have been having great success with them in varying sizes and sometimes a dropper or trailing dry. I also will be fishing this fly heavily in the Midwests’s Driftless Area casting it to browns and native brook trout on meandering spring creeks.

Water with an abundance of stream-side vegetation is great habitat for terrestrials, and fish get used to them getting knocked in the water. This pattern will also fish well on our countless high lakes up in the cascades. Tie some up while the fish have a taste for beetles!

-Simon

Peacock Beetle

Hook- Ahrex Sedge Dry FW530 12, 14**, 16

Thread- Fulling Mill Black Pro Flat Thread: 70 Denier

Body- Hareline 2mm HI-Float Foam: Black & Hareline Peacock Herl

Wing- Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn: Fluorescent Pink & White

Legs- Montana Fly Co Red Barred Sexi Floss: Medium** & Small

Additional Adhesives- Brush on Loctite

UV Resin- Solarez Bone Dry

UV Torch- Loon Plasma Light

Bobbin- Stonfo Steeltech Bobbin

Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base