Crowe Beetle

Written by DCarp

Crowe Beetle

RWFF Crowe Beetle

• Hook: Dry Fly, Size 16-22
• Thread: Black
• Body: Black Deer Hair
• Legs: 3-4 strands Black Deer Hair
  
  Note: Tie in Deer Hair at hook bend, fold forward and tie down at hook eye. Pull 3-4 strands to the sides for legs, tie down, then trim remainder of hair for head.

HISTORY:

The roots of the Crowe Beetle are blue collar, lying in the former steel city of Johnstown, PA. John Crowe, originator of the beetle pattern that carries his name, published it in his 1947 work The Book of Trout Lore. Crowe wrote that he once fished only his beetle for an entire season, with no significant drop-off in success.

The only downside of the Crowe Beetle is its fragility. Two or three trout tend to tear a Crowe Beetle to shreds, and no coating of glue seems to help. Foam beetles last much longer, but they just don't make the same trout-pleasing splat when they land on the water. So when trout tear your Crowe Beetle to shreds, smile and tie on another one. Its a very nice problem to have.