Pat's Rubber Legs
Imitates: Stonefly nymph (Salmonfly, Golden Stone, Skwala)
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #4-10
- Best Season
- Year-round, peaks during stonefly emergence (Apr-Jul)
- Best Conditions
- Big Western rivers, pre-runoff, post-runoff, deep runs
- Water Temp
- 40-65°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 2X-3X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Lead nymph under an indicator with a smaller dropper 18" below. Add split shot to get it on the bottom.
How to Present It
Dead-drift along the bottom in the deepest seams. Stoneflies crawl and tumble — your fly should too.
Why It Works
Stonefly nymphs live on the bottom for 1-3 years before emerging, so trout see them year-round. The variegated chenille body and wiggling rubber legs mimic a real stonefly perfectly. Big, juicy, and always available.
History
Pat Bennett of Idaho refined an older Girdle Bug pattern in the 1990s into the modern Pat's Rubber Legs. It's now the #1 nymph on the Madison, Yellowstone, Big Hole, and every salmonfly river in the West.
Pro Tip
In May and June during the salmonfly hatch, fish a #4 black/brown Pat's deep with a #14 Pheasant Tail dropper. Expect the biggest browns of the year to eat the stonefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pat's Rubber Legs imitate?+
A stonefly nymph — primarily Salmonfly, Golden Stone, and Skwala. Stoneflies are huge protein bombs trout eat year-round.
What size Pat's Rubber Legs for salmonflies?+
#4 or #6 in black/brown. Salmonfly nymphs are massive — match the size, don't undersize.
When is the best time to fish Pat's Rubber Legs?+
April through July covers stonefly emergence on most Western rivers, but it works year-round as a deep searching nymph.
Not sure if Pat's Rubber Legs is right today?
Get a fly recommendation based on live water temp, flow, sky, and time of day for any river in the US.
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