CB's Japanese Beetle
Over a decade ago, I posted an entry on my Japanese Beetle pattern. Now, in fall 2025, I'm revisiting the entry with the same pattern but a more detailed figure sequence and new macro photography, utilizing my new 70mm lens. This pattern has served me well over the last 15 or so years. Just last week, a nice 15" Brown moved across a dead calm glass pool and took this #16 like it was the very last stuffed mushroom on a dinner party platter. Browns will move surprising distances for these little terrestrials.
The video above will provide a clear understanding of the proportions and profile of this fly.
On a #16 short shank wide gap hook, such as the TMS 531 seen above
, tie in a segment of UTC small diameter green wire using black UTC Ultra 70
in black or dark green.
Cut a segment of foam beetle skin approximately 3/8 inches wide. Cut a triangle taper; do not worry about the edges of the cut, as they will actually soften once it's tied in, as seen below. Use an Exacto blade and a small ruler for accurate cuts.
Secure the foam tightly to the very edge of the hook bend.
Dub using Black SLF Squirrel mixed with peacock black UV and create a football-shaped body. Now, spiral wrap your green wire about four turns to the end of the dubbing ball.
Legs serve this pattern very well. The above photo shows how I knot my own joints, which are spaced very tightly, about 1/8 inch between joints. These pheasant tail fibers are dyed peacock green.
Tie in your legs just in front of your tapered dubbing ball, two on each side.
Pull your beetle skin over your body segment and tightly wrap the foam in place using about six to eight turns of thread. Cut the remaining foam off just short of your wraps and tie in some black hackle. Using only three or four turns of hackle, tie off and dub a smallish head using the SLF and peacock UV blend just short of the hook eye.
(click on any of these images below to get a high-resolution enlargement)
This little terrestrial is not hard to tie; the proportions are critical, but with a bit of practice, you can knock out a box of these pretty darn quickly!
~CB's Japanese Beetle~
Thread: UTC Ultra 70 Black
Wire: UTC small green
Hook: TMC 531 #14 or #16 (short shank, wide gap)
Body: SLF Squirrel mixed with Fulling Mill peacock UV
Wing Case: WAPSI Foam Green Beetle Bug Skin
Hackle: Black x3 or x4 turns only
Legs: Micro knotted pheasant tail fibers green
Thanks for letting me share! Clint Bova | www.cjbovarods.com
