Girdle Bug aka Pat's Rubber Legs

afishinado

afishinado

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Great video with tying tips for this really great must-have fly pattern (for trout as well as smallies).

Also demonstrates a great technique for tying in rubber legs.


 
I like his version called “get it down pats”. It’s a very good point fly and my favorite swift water nymph.
 
Nice looking pattern.

Is there a good alternative to rubber legs?

In my experience, rubber legs deteriorate quickly.
 
troutbert wrote:
Nice looking pattern.

Is there a good alternative to rubber legs?

In my experience, rubber legs deteriorate quickly.


"Rubber" is just a generic term.

Most fly tying legs now are made of silicone, which does not degrade.

https://www.orvis.com/silicone-legs/2K5A.html?adv=587244&cm_mmc=Orvisnonbrand-G-_-NB-Fly-Fishing-_-DSA-_-&gclid=CjwKCAjwoZWHBhBgEiwAiMN66aXK6f-08Ob8lpfLwW_uF6NMd_Jnsgjeks9Ew311jv3JtbouX9A-MxoCh58QAvD_BwE

From the link above>

The Story
Made from 100% silicone. Extremely strong and lifelike movement. Silicone will not degrade becoming brittle when exposed to UV light like rubber or latex will. Solid colors with micro flakes of flash material, and barred colors with micro flash material. Great for use in nymph legs, foam dry patterns, poppers, crab legs. Eliminates the worry of falling apart in the fly box due to rotting.
 
The first rubber leg stone fly nymphs in this genre were tied with the rubber from a women’s’ girdle hence the name.

And before you say its a "Pats Rubber Leg"

Notes: Pat's Rubber Legs is also known as Jimmy Legs, Knotty Girls, Restless Stone, The Turd, and The Pickle. "Pat" has been suggested to be a guide, Pat Bennett, that works out of the Hyde shop in Island Park, Idaho but this may be a ruse. Jimmy Legs is a variation from Idylwild Flies in which the legs are pre-knotted and tied on a bent hook, such as a Daiichi 1730. Knotty Girls also have knotted legs but they are usually round rubber material. Restless Stone is another name as marketed by Umpqua. Whatever the name, the pattern works quite well and has become a favorite among guides. The pattern is a variation off an older pattern known as the Girdle Bug. This pattern was developed in the 1930's by Frank McGinnis of Anaconda, MT. He developed this pattern while fishing the Big Hole River. Originally, round rubber legs was used but a spandex rubber material such as Super Floss, Flex Floss, Life Flex, and Spanflex has become preferred over round rubber legs. It is much more durable and transparent than rubber leg material and very supple with lifelike movement in the water. Mickey Wooton, a guide out of West Yellowstone, came up with a nice variation of trimming the chenille at the abdomen for a flattened taper and replaced the antennae and tails with Krystal flash and Goose Biots, respectively. Fish Pat's Rubber legs in the riffles and runs of fast moving water. It also makes a great pattern for short line nymphing. The weight of the pattern allows it to quickly sink into deeps slots and pools. Great with a Beadhead dropper such as a Prince Nymph or Hare's Ear.
 
nfrechet wrote:
The first rubber leg stone fly nymphs in this genre were tied with the rubber from a women’s’ girdle hence the name.

And before you say its a "Pats Rubber Leg"

Notes: Pat's Rubber Legs is also known as Jimmy Legs, Knotty Girls, Restless Stone, The Turd, and The Pickle. "Pat" has been suggested to be a guide, Pat Bennett, that works out of the Hyde shop in Island Park, Idaho but this may be a ruse. Jimmy Legs is a variation from Idylwild Flies in which the legs are pre-knotted and tied on a bent hook, such as a Daiichi 1730. Knotty Girls also have knotted legs but they are usually round rubber material. Restless Stone is another name as marketed by Umpqua. Whatever the name, the pattern works quite well and has become a favorite among guides. The pattern is a variation off an older pattern known as the Girdle Bug. This pattern was developed in the 1930's by Frank McGinnis of Anaconda, MT. He developed this pattern while fishing the Big Hole River. Originally, round rubber legs was used but a spandex rubber material such as Super Floss, Flex Floss, Life Flex, and Spanflex has become preferred over round rubber legs. It is much more durable and transparent than rubber leg material and very supple with lifelike movement in the water. Mickey Wooton, a guide out of West Yellowstone, came up with a nice variation of trimming the chenille at the abdomen for a flattened taper and replaced the antennae and tails with Krystal flash and Goose Biots, respectively. Fish Pat's Rubber legs in the riffles and runs of fast moving water. It also makes a great pattern for short line nymphing. The weight of the pattern allows it to quickly sink into deeps slots and pools. Great with a Beadhead dropper such as a Prince Nymph or Hare's Ear.

Interesting - thanks for the history lessson.
 
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