Bluegill Belly Bean

Hook: Size 10–12 nymph or jig hook
Thread: 6/0 or 140 denier, black or to match body
Tail: Black rubber legs
Body: Ice Dub – Peacock or olive
Collar: Black Ice Dub
Head: Tungsten bead – black nickel or gold
Finish: UV resin on the head for added durability and shine

J. Stockard Pro Tyer Paul Beel designed the Bluegill Belly Bean, and as the name suggests, it started out as a bluegill fly. But like many good patterns, it didn’t stay in one lane for long. These days, the Belly Bean catches just as many smallmouth bass, carp, and other warmwater species as it does panfish, and it’s easy to see why.

It wasn’t created to imitate a specific insect or minnow. Instead, it’s an attractor fly –a mix of movement, color, and profile that just looks edible to fish. While we usually think of trout as the insect-eaters, the truth is bass and even carp will key in on buggy patterns if they catch the right motion. And the Belly Bean has plenty of that, thanks to rubber legs, a flashy profile, and a compact shape that could resemble either a bug or a small baitfish, depending on how it’s retrieved.

Paul recommends stripping the fly—either slowly or quickly—when targeting bass. In stillwater like ponds or lakes, let it sink for 10 to 15 seconds before retrieving it. In rivers or creeks, you can bounce it along the bottom or simply strip it back through likely holding water. It’s a versatile little fly that works in a variety of conditions and across multiple species.

The material list below includes specific color suggestions, but the real fun comes from experimenting with your own combinations.