Terrestrial Beetle

SIZE: 1-40 mm (1/16 to 1/-9/16 in)

COLOR: Black, brown, green, red

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Stiff, shell-like wings; generally flat, oval shape in back

About Terrestrial Beetles

Planet earth holds an unbelievable variety of beetles. North America hosts over 30,000 species! While there are aquatic beetles, most beetles are land-dwellers. Even though they live on terra firma, sooner or later one of these guys is going to stumble onto the surface of a lake or river. And when it does, a trout will probably gobble it up.

Beetle imitations are good fish catchers in the late summer. At that time of year, beetles, grasshoppers and ants are often found drifting down a river or looking out-of-place on a lake.

Most anglers use a mid-sized beetle imitation, around size 12-16. But beetles come in all sizes, and a very small fly or a very large one can also be productive.

Articles About Beetles

Click headline to read entire article

Meeting the Late Summer Challenge The big hatches are over, trout are well-fed and spooky. What's going to bring them to the surface? The answer may surprise you. Jeff Morgan

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/
COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Adult

Black Foam Beetle

12-16/Black

Standard dry fly, Chuck-and-sit

Bankwater, near lake shores