The New Zealand Beetle
New Zealand Brown Trout – they don’t come any better!
In 2004 my wife, Gelly, and I decided to take a trip around the world.
There was a terrific deal going with BA. Providing your journey kept going in roughly the same direction, we went west, you could make seven stops. Singapore was one of our favourite cities, but the country with which we fell totally in love, was New Zealand.
Perfect weather, really friendly people and, without a doubt, some of the finest trout fishing we have ever experienced.
As we travelled across both islands, we spent two to three days with each guide, and the contents of my NZ fly box not only tells you of the wide variety of the fishing we experienced, but also the generosity of our wonderful guides!
Top left and right you will see the fly that catches fish everywhere! From the chalk streams and stillwaters of the southern UK to the mountain streams of France and America, it has never let us down!
Please tie it… please try it… I know it will surprise you!
To tie the ‘New Zealand Beetle’ you will need:
Hook: Kamasan B400 12.
Thread: Fine Black. I use Sheer 14/0
Wing Material: UTC Mirage Medium Opal Tinsel.
Shell Back: Veniard’s Closed Cell Foam. Black.
Body Wrap: Any fine sparkly blue material.
(I use Tie Well Reflections Blue/Green.)
Post: Aero Dry Wing.
Hackle: Black.
Thorax: Hare E Ice Dub Black.
Step One
Tie in two loops of Mirage Opal Tinsel just before the bend of the hook.
Tie in on top of the tag ends a 3-4mm wedge shaped piece of closed cell foam. Wind the thread forward, tie in the blue body material 4mm back from the eye.
Wind the material back to the foam tie in point and back again to its tie in position and secure.
Step Two
Pull the closed cell foam forward and tie in on top of the blue tag ends 4mm back from the eye.
Pull the wing material forward individually and secure lightly until you are happy with the position and angle of each wing then secure with tight wraps.
Step Three
Tie in your wing post and your hackle vertical to the post.
Move your thread back to the closed cell foam.
Split the thread or form a dubbing loop and insert a long noodle of dubbing, then spin the loop until you have a tight rope.
Step Four
Wind the dubbed rope forward to form the thorax.
Make one or two figure of eight turns around and under the post, one turn behind the eye then half hitch the thread.
Wind the hackle down the post for about six to eight turns and secure behind the eye.
Whip Finish and add a little head cement.
Go get ‘em!
