There are two main forms of beetle that are important sources of food for the trout. The green (or manuka) beetle and the brown (or grass grub) beetle. Beetles are an important source of food for trout from late spring through summer and even into early autumn as each insect provides a large amount of protein that is easily captured. The beetle is a clumsy flier and will often crash onto the water and thrash about thereby attracting any fish in the vicinity. Generally found in large numbers around streams during warm weather especially in the evenings. Prolific insects throughout the country and worth having a pattern or two of them in your fly box from November through to March. There are many beetle patterns though all are dry flies as they live and bred on the land.

Green Beetle (also known as the Manuka beetle)

The green beetle becomes prolific from November through to January. Their habitat consists mostly of bushland around streams and as they are clumsy fliers will often get blown onto the water especially in the evenings. As they are a large and make for easy prey once on the water they are a favourite trout food. Unlike the brown beetle it is active throughout the day and often a small breeze can cause a number to fall from the vegetation into the water causing a sudden trout frenzy.

Brown beetle (also know as the grass-grub beetle)

The brown beetle is found near areas of open pasture and tends to mature later than the green beetle making it more prolific through the summer and early autumn months. Like its counterpart the green beetle it will often crash onto the water to the delight of waiting trout.

Imitating the beetle patterns

Both beetles are similar in shape with the major difference being the colour. Consequently it is mostly the shape of the fly that will induce a take and when these large clumsy insects are on the water delicate casting and presentation becomes much less important as the fish will often travel across pools when they hear one land on the water.