The Unsinkabeetle is a project fly that began many years ago when I was helping my Mom remodel her house. We left it in a bowl of water and we'd push it to the bottom and squeeze the air out of it every time we walked by to see if we could get it to sink. It floated for about 2 weeks, so we chalked up that experiment as a success. My mom wanted to name it the "Unsinkable Molly Brown," but we settled on the Unsinkabeetle and I think she has finally forgiven me. This particular fly is tied in a small, compact configuration, but it plays well in a bunch of different sizes. I've fished this fly quite a bit, and it works great as a beetle, cicada, or just a general attractor.
Material List
Hook: Mustad - Classic Dry Hook R50AP - 10
Hook (Alternate): Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium - 10
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 6/0 - Tan
Thread (Alternate): Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 6/0 - Brown
Body: Bug Foam 2MM - Tan
Body (Alternate): MFC - High Rise Foam - 2mm - Sand
Body 1: Bug Foam 1MM - Cocoa
Body 1 (Alternate): MFC - High Rise Foam - 1mm - Brown
Wing: Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Yarn - White
Wing (Alternate): EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - Pale Morning Dun
Indicator: Bug Foam 2MM - Yellow
Indicator (Alternate): Bug Foam 2MM - Orange
Legs: Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Speckled Clear Tan
Legs (Alternate): Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Speckled Tan/Brown
Thorax: Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Dub - Hare's Ear
Thorax (Alternate): Fulling Mill Ultra Dry Dub - Pepperbox
Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below