Extended Body Girdle Bug – Pat’s Rubberlegs
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Extended Body Girdle Bug (Rubberlegs, Pat’s Rubberlegs, there are many names) is a twist on probably the most popular nymph in the northern Rockies these days. With a tungsten bead and simple extended body, it sinks like a brick and has more movement than most Girdle Bugs. Here I tie it in a copper/tan/brown color, but the basic pattern is a good “changeup” for any color of Pat’s Rubberlegs.
Hook: 1x short 1x strong scud hook, #6 (can go smaller with smaller beads and a smaller diameter of lead wire).
Bead: 3/16″ black nickel tungsten.
Thread: 6/0 dark brown.
Horns: Short section of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in pinch-style.
Weight: .035 lead or non-toxic wire.
Tails: Long section of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in pinch-style.
Body: “Henry’s Lake” New Age Chenille. Other variegated chenilles are also good.
Legs: Three short sections of copper-brown barred Sexi Floss or similar spandex rubberleg material, tied in with X-wraps and reinforced with head cement. Can cut back to two legs if desired, particularly on smaller sizes.
Synth Stimmy – Stimulator Variation
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Synth Stimmy
This is a good small to medium rough water attractor dry. With the abundant hackle clipped underneath, tight synthetic body materials that don’t absorb water, and synthetic wing, it is buoyant but floats low in the film. These features, along with the alternate hook used compared to the standard Stimulator, also make it float correctly every time and give it good hooking properties. To top it off, it’s even quick to tie.
Tie the Synth Stimmy in colors to match your favorite Stimulator (except yellow, alas, because the body material is not available in this color) or in other “attractor” or “imitator” colors.
Hook: 2xl curved shank nymph/hopper (Here MFC #7231), #10-16. Do not use standard Stimulator hooks.
Thread #1: MFC Midge Body thread OR Veevus Iridescent thread. Here, MFC Midge Body in golden olive.
Abdomen: One to several layers of thread #1, depending on hook size and material used. Note that the tying method varies depending on which material is used, particularly in small hook sizes. See the video for details on how to create the body using both materials.
Thread #2: 8/0, here light olive.
Body Hackle: Dry fly saddle secured at front of abdomen and palmered back to rear of abdomen. Here, grizzly dyed March Brown
Rib: Thread #1. See video for method.
Wing: MFC Widow’s Web or EP Trigger Point fibers. Here, cinnamon caddis EP.
Front Hackle: Dry fly saddle. Here, grizzly dyed March Brown.
Adhesive #1: Super glue over thread wraps securing wing butts and front hackle.
Head: Ice Dub. Here, olive.
Adhesive #2: Head cement or superglue.
Euroflash Nymph – Perdigon Variation
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The Euroflash is a variation on the Butano Perdigon distinguished by the addition of sparse legs and the fact the tungsten bead is buried in the fly’s thorax. It’s an effective, fast-sinking, technical mayfly nymph or midge pupa, whether you’re using Euro nymphing techniques, sight-nymphing, or fishing the fly under a hopper or indicator. Try it in various colors and #14-20.
Hook: 1x short 1x strong scud, #14-20 (especially #16-18).
Bead: Tungsten to match hook size and disappear somewhat in the thorax. This color is brown.
Thread: Dark brown 8/0 on this color, otherwise a dark color to match natural insects or rest of fly (black and dark brown are best).
Tail: Dark pardo coq-de-leon.
Abdomen: Holographic Flashabou, in this case olive. Other good colors are red, black, purple, and copper, but feel free to try assorted colors.
Wing Case: UTC opal tinsel, size medium or small.
Thorax: Tying thread and the bead (secure the bead with X-wraps).
Legs: A few strands of Fluoro-Fibre secured vee-style. On this color, use gray. Most other colors of the pattern are best with gray or dark brown.
Body Coating: UV-cure resin over entire fly except legs.