Overview

The Seed Beetle was designed by Umpqua signature tyer Brandon Feller to sit low in the surface film while staying highly visible and buoyant. It is named for the western conifer seed bug, an important terrestrial on the Green River and other western rivers that trout readily eat.

Beetles and similar bugs land on the water all summer and fall, and because they float low and cannot escape, trout take them with slow, confident rises. A fly that rides low looks right to the fish, and one you can see makes it easy to fish well. Feller's design gives you both.

How to Fish It

• Dead drift: drift it along banks, under overhanging trees and through foam lines.
• Let it plop: a soft splat on landing gets attention, just like a real beetle falling in.
• Dry-dropper: the larger sizes can carry a small nymph.
• Season: summer through fall; western conifer seed bugs are common later in the season.

Choosing Color and Size

Black is the classic beetle color and shows up well against bright water. Brown is a closer match for conifer seed bugs and other brown beetles.

Use 8 and 10 for big bugs and to float a dropper, and 12 and 14 for smaller beetles and picky risers.