Le Scarab Noire

[daves]

One of my favourite flies for small streams, where the trout are opportunistic feeders, is a foam, black beetle (Le Scarab Noire). Its name comes as a result of a French angler who insisted on telling all & sundry that I'd caught several fish in a pool (on an Austrian pocket-water stream) where he'd just blanked because of this 'magic' fly. The reason was, intact, drag-free drifts; however it is a very effective pattern with just the right triggers & the plop it makes on landing really attracts the fish. Last week on the Tenkara syndicate waters I had fish charge 12' across a pool to grab it!

Last September Steve Donohue, Don Stazicker & Stu Crofts were taking the p**s out of me about Le Scarab (since we'd met the Frenchman again in our hotel & he'd instantly come over to greet me). However they were less inclined to p**s take when I started catching on the fly in question & particularly when the Brook Trout came up for it in a blizzard on the Krimmler Ache (over 500 feet up in the mountains).

The tying is simple:

Hook: Size 16 to 12 Fine wire dry fly
Thread: Black 8/0
Body: Peacock Ice Dub
Back: 2mm thick black sealed cell foam foam strip 5 to 6mm wide
Legs: Black Flexifloss or Peacock herl (4 or 6)
Sighter: Pink poly yarn
Head: A stubb of the black foam

It helps to angle the legs slightly up to ensure the correct aerodynamics, thus ensuring the fly lands sighter upwards all the time.

[flatsghost]

Hi Dave
I agree with you mate as to what an effective pattern it is especially from this time of year onwards. I have caught really well on it without the rubber legs using just black seal fur as a body which when ragged about gives a good impression of legs.
Last week I used it on the River Onny in Shropshire with a 12' 7:3 from Esoteric and caught wild fish to 13" on a hot blustery day. (Maybe trout look for these things when the wind is blowing as they are likely to appear on the water more frequently?)
Used it also on the River Tanat on the Wales/Shropshire borders on Monday and again it brought up fish in hot bright weather. Lost a beauty unfortunately on the same 'T' outfit.
I would go so far as to say that it has revolutionised my summer 'dog days' on my local stream - they love it !
Sometimes the garish 'Inch worm' bright green caterpillar does the trick also when plopped in also.
Don't worry about Stu taking the p--s - he's only jealous!
Number one fly for me on next visit to Ladybower streams.
Cheers
Glyn

[custheyder]

Everyone needs a "go to" fly for when the fish are being really picky. I do like foam beetles because they float so well. Mine is a size 20 black gnat. I just look for a swirl in the general area I delivered it.

The water looks proper cold Dave. Reminds me of Llangollen at the end of November. -17C one year. Very jealous of the places you are getting to fish.

Those bright green caterpillars are superb. I've white maggots in my box as well, which are superb for coastal mullet over the weed beds. Admittedly not on a a T rod. My reservoir pellet flies have not seen the light of day for a long time.... thank goodness.

Looking forward to seeing more special places from you Dave.

[daves]

As you say Glyn, they're great for summer, particularly when cast close to the bank or under trees.

Also they are unsinkable so need very little attention between fish.

I use them on a wide range of waters including my local chalk stream & still waters.