The Pat’s Rubber Legs was created by guide Pat Bennett*—of Hyde Outfitters in Island Park, Idaho—building on other big stonefly patterns, such as the Girdle Bug. This particular color pattern–black and coffee–is a particular favorite of guides throughout the Rockies, and they’ll fish it year-round as a searching pattern.
The only problem with Pat’s pattern is that it looks simple but can be rather frustrating to tie because the rubber legs can be hard to handle. But in this great video by Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, you’ll learn a couple modern tricks for attaching the legs that make everything easier. If you haven’t yet invested in some UV-cure resin, this video might convince you that you really need it.
And if you’ve got the bandwidth, make sure watch Tim’s videos in full 4K resolution. You’ve never seen fly tying look so good.
Pat’s Rubber Legs
Hook: 3X-long nymph hook (here, a Dai-Riki #710), sizes 4-12.
Weight: .015 lead-free wire.
Thread: Black, 6/0 or 140-denier.
Tails and antennae: Black Spanflex or similar.
Body: Black-and-coffee Variegated Chenille, medium.
Legs: Black Spanflex or similar.
Adhesive: UV-cure resin.
Head: Tying thread.
Tools: Plunger-style hackle pliers.
*An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed this pattern to guide Pat Dorsey.
WOW. what an awesome time saving technique. Thanks so much!
You’ve credited the wrong Pat….Pat Bennett was the originator of this fly using flexi floss for the legs. He created it 20 years ago while guiding for Hyde Outfitters on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in Island Park, Idaho.
Thanks. I checked with Pat Dorsey, and you are correct!
Good video, but the legs “short-cut” is sketchy. If you are a guide that uses a hundred of these a year, maybe. But I can tie in the legs in about 90 seconds, and touching up the tie-ins with epoxy might be worth it. However, for the number the average person ties in a season, don’t waste your time trying to master the short-cut.. I liked everything else. Very well filmed and very clear explanations (again, with the exception of the legs).
Yes Phil,
I’ve met Pat Dorsey a few times and while he says he loves this pattern for waters that have large stoneflies, he is quick to point out that he is not the inventor of this pattern.