Recently I’ve been pondering the question can a hook down fly pattern increase trout refusals on dry flies.  The last month or so I’ve been fishing beetle patterns on many of my trout streams with good success, however, I have had my fair share of trout refusals even with some of my best patterns.

I developed this hook-up beetle pattern a couple days ago and I had a chance to fish it recently.  I’ve got a big grin on my face telling you all that the pattern works great.  I’ll need to spend some more time comparing hook-down patterns with this new hook-up pattern on the water for more statistics, but for now I’m pretty confident that it does decrease the amount of trout refusals.  I’ve got several trips coming up soon and my clients will be fishing the new fly pattern.  And as far as I can tell there is no hook-up terrestrial patterns on the market right now.  I’m currently tying up other hook-up terrestrial patterns that I’ll share down the road.

Klewein's Hook-Up Beetle Pattern

Hook: Size 16 (Wide-Gap Dry Fly Hook)

Thread: Black 6/0

Underbody: 5 strands of Peacock Herl

Overbody: 2-milimeter Black Foam

Post: White Z-Lon

Hackle: Black Hackle