wooly bugger Rubber Legs

[Strike II]

I have noticed that in some fly shops they have different wooly buggers tied with rubber legs off the side. First of all, what does a wooly bugger imitate? And what do the rubber legs do to this fly? I have had fairly decent success with buggers this fall. (I prefer mohair leeches usually) I always thought the buggers were a leech immitating pattern. Is this correct? So what do the legs represent???

[Fred]

That's an interesting question. I think it's just the action of it. I was always under the presumption that they'll take buggers for baitfish or crawfish as well as leeches. Or sometimes just hit it cause it's there. The legs just make it look more alive and give it some action. I've used black crystal buggers with black legs, olive with white legs, and brown with brown legs. They all work at some point or another. Black seems to be the best producer in the long run. Cool flies.

[Trout4x]

They tie it to make you think it is a good idea, so you start buying more items. You catch fish on something that already caught fish without the legs, but you forget about that and think WOW! the rubber legs are great. You go back and buy more and both you and the shop are happy.

[Fred]

That argument might have some merit if you couldn't by a year's worth of rubber legs for a buck. I don't think they were created as part of some great marketing ploy on the part of the fly shops. In fact, rubber legged buggers are included in several books: including Essential Trout Flies by David Hughes.

[Trout4x]

just the start of it, who knows what will be added to the wooly bugger the next time you come into the shop.

[Fred]

Yah.

Hey, check out this killer wooley bugger with a Ross San Miguel for the head, two sage rods for legs, and a pair of Simms waders for a tail.

[Strike II]

With or without the rubber..........legs? (Sorry I couldn't resist) But no really which have you guys done better with? I have never fished the rubber legged style before.

[Trout4x]

Fish without them.

[Fred]

I would agree, except that, from what I understand, using the rubber is safer.

Just kidding.

For me, it's just a matter of switching until I find something that works. The guy that first showed me the flies worked for Spinner Falls and he said try these at the Berry. So, I did. Now I have several in my fly boxes. Sometimes the rubber legs seem to work better, but that might have to do with the color more than anything. Who knows? Not me.

Just try them. Why not?

[MOKE]

Hot Pink Bugger with pink legs to imitate a shrimp or prawn, fished in a downpour, and hooking into a chromer steelie will change your mind about fishing a bugger with rubber legs!!
Also had great results fishing a black bugger with black legs.

Peace
MOKE

[Hoof Hearted]

Experiment- throw on a regular WB and use a rubber legged behind it. Or vise-versa. Doesn't hurt to try.

[seabass]

A few weeks ago on the Henry's Fork I wasn't having much luck until I tried a rubber-legged wooly bugger. And I found that if I really jerked it around A LOT while in the water it produced great. The more erratic the motion, the better; it just drove them crazy. I couldn't catch much on a regular bugger, only one with rubber legs. In fact, after I lost my one and only rubber-legged bugger to a monster strike, I had to resort to stonefly patterns with rubber legs (the girdle bug worked great). As long as I fished it with the same jerking action it worked just as well. The rubber legs combined with the erratic action seemed to be the ticket when nothing else was working.

[Strike II]

That's interesting. Sounds as if they like it. I will tie some up tomorrow. I don't know if I will get to fish too many more lakes this year, which is usually where I fish them. : (

[Trouty]

The black rubber leg (basically just black chenille with 6 or so black rubber legs) is a staple on Henry's Fork throughout much of the open season. It is one of the most consistent sub-surface producers according to locals and I have found it works fished in a variety of methods including the one listed above. I have had a lot of success with it in Box Canyon. I'm not sure what the trout think it is though I've heard a lot speculation but I will continue to use it when I fish there.

I haven't really tried rubber legs in other locations but suspect they work in a lot of places. A fisherman I talk with a lot (but have never fished with) has a purple marabou bugger variation with white rubber legs which he claims is very good on Strawberry.,

[Teewinot]

I've fished quite a few wooly buggers with and without rubber legs and I would have to say that I like the rubber legs better overall. I've caught fish on both, but the rubber legs gives the bugger more action and the fish seem to go for that. You've gotta think more like the fish -- who out there wouldn't like to get a little more action? ;) Ok seriously I would try tying up a bunch of buggers with rubber legs and go give it a try.

Trouty -- Rubber legs are my favorite on the Box Canyon section. We did great up there this last summer with rubber legs and they are so easy to tie up that you don't curse as much when they get hung up or those huge browns rip them off your line.