Seems like I saw a recipe with pics for a black foam beetle pattern here a while back. I can’t find it now. Anyone? 
Jim
Was this it?
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/fbfly.jpg
Here’s another…not black but could be…
On the main page of FAOL search “foam beetles” and pick the one for you.
Thanks fellas. Jim
Bob, I saw that page in my search earlier. Them’s some bodacious looking bugs. I found the one I wanted but since I have so much foam I’m going to try some of your patterns too. Thanks, Jim
Found the one I wanted. Here it is. I used peacock hurl for the under body and black rubber legs. Works pretty nice. Jim8-)
Here is my favorite foam beetle pattern, see Northern VA TU chapter web page Oct 07: http://www.nvatu.org/2007_Oct_TLine.pdf
Foam Beetle Plus. One of my favorite flies and a sure winner for Brookies in the Shenandoah National Park Mountain streams (summer and fall). This is a combination of several recipes and adds a wing tip sticking out from under the back shell of a struggling beetle; recommended in an article by A.K. Best.
RECIPE
Hook: TMC 100 # 12 or 14
Thread: black 6/0
Wing Tip: White Z-Lon or yarn
Body: Peacock Herl - 4 strands
Legs: black rubber legs, deer or moose hair or pheasant tail fibers
(When I tie the Mr. Rapidan I save the stubbs of the moose hair to use as legs on the foam beetle; very durable legs.)
I’ve probably caught more wild brook trout on this pattern than on any other fly. I’ve also caught a lot of sunfish, some stocked trout, small mouth bass, fall fish and I one large mouth bass too.
Good Luck, Tight Lines,
John
My “go-to” beetle is:
RECIPE
Hook: size# 12 or 14 sometimes smaller depending on what’s in the area
Thread: black 6/0
Body: Peacock Herl - number of strands depend on the hook size. 3 or 4 work for size 12/14 hooks
Legs: horse tail or mane hair (any stiff hair will work)
Shell: thin black foam (2mm works)
Anchor thread and leave at rear of the hook. Tie on the foam and body then advance the thread halfway to the eye. Wrap the body about half way up the hook shank. Tie in the legs (I tie in 3 but I don’t think the fish count) and leave long. Advance the body half way to the hook eye and secure. Fold the foam over and tie down at the same spot. Tie off the thread, clip, and apply head cement to the thread. Trim the foam even with the hook eye and trim the legs as needed.
Change the foam color to orange for ladybugs or tan for ticks.
Toss them near overhanging branches and hang on.