Break Out The Beetles

As the summer continues, those of you who fish regularly will have noticed that the bank-side foliage just seems to get denser every time you visit the water. These are ideal conditions for all sorts of insects to thrive, from small leaf-eating insects to a hoard of beetles and ants. This is prime time for all terrestrial activity on both rivers and stillwaters. We have an updated Beetle selection that just arrived with us:

• Barbless Beetle Selection - We've slightly updated our most popular beetles and included them all in one selection, these patterns will cover all imitations throughout the year.

All of the above flies can be seen in more detailed images below, and there's also a handy guide to fishing beetle/terrestrial patterns.

Read on McDuff ...

Why not be ready for any Beetle, with our Barbless Beetle Selection - we love an alliteration! We have created this selection of Beetles that work equally well on both rivers and stillwaters. The patterns included in the selection are:

• Coch-y-Bonddu Beetle - The classic beetle pattern, also known as the field chafer.
• Hi-Viz Beetle - A great pattern that is easy to see on those bright sunny days. Tied with a bright pink post.
• Rubber-Leg Beetle - Another great pattern that is easy to see on those bright sunny days. Tied with a red foam post and rubber legs.
• Hi-Float Foam Beetle - A beetle designed to float high in the water due to its closed-cell foam body. Tied with a red wing case.

Here we have a selection of 16 Beetles, four different patterns (as above) two each of sizes 14 & 18 (click on any image or link to view the flies in more detail).

Our Barbless Beetle Selection is now available, priced at only £20, which includes fast, free delivery to anywhere in the world. Click on any image or button to view the flies in more detail.

In the warmer summer afternoons, a beetle pattern is an essential searching pattern, when fish are not rising.

To search a river:

1. From the bank, section the river into lanes about 3ft wide.
2. Cast upstream and make 3 or 4 drifts in the nearest lane, repeat for each lane, working away from you.
3. Step upstream and repeat the process.

To search a stillwater:

1. From the bank, imagine a fan with 8 points laid out on the water.
2. Cast to each point of the fan 3 or 4 times, and retrieve using the "Splash & Twitch" technique (see below).
3. Move further along the bank and repeat the process.

"Splash & Twitch" Technique

With each of the searching methods mentioned above, why not give the "Splash & Twitch" technique a go. As Beetles are land-based insects, they are regularly blown (or drop from trees) onto the water, and they are not that elegant when they do! Don't worry about perfect presentation, it is often better for this style of fly to splash down on the water, Keep in touch with the drift as the water brings the fly back to you and give the fly a slight twitch every now and then. You will be amazed how often this inducement will bring up a fish! Don't forget to drift the beetle under any overhanging branches.

"Dry Nymph" Technique

Most natural terrestrials start to sink after hitting the water. If your floating terrestrial pattern sinks midway through a drift, just fish it as you would a nymph. Some of the best fishing to be had on a warm summer's afternoon can be by fishing sunk beetles as you would a nymph on a long leader.

Tight lines & have fun.