Ask any experienced western trout angler to name their top five nymphs, and Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly will almost certainly make the list. This chunky, rubber-legged pattern has been fooling trout for decades, and its effectiveness shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you're fishing the Green River in Utah, the Madison in Montana, or a small freestone stream in the East, Pat's Stonefly deserves a spot in your box. Browse our full Pat's Stoneflies collection to find your size and color.
The History of Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly
Pat's Rubber Leg was developed by Pat Dorsey, a legendary Colorado guide and fly tyer. Dorsey designed the fly to imitate the large stonefly nymphs that are abundant in many western rivers — a high-calorie food source that trout actively seek out. The fly's simple construction — a tungsten bead, a chenille body, and rubber legs — belies its incredible effectiveness.
Sizes and Colors
Pat's Rubber Leg comes in a wide range of sizes and color combinations, and matching the right one to your water is key:
Size Selection
- Size 8: The big daddy. Use this in large western rivers during stonefly season or whenever you want to make a big impression. Coffee black and brown are top producers in this size.
- Size 10: A versatile large size that works well in both big and medium-sized rivers. Black olive, ginger black, and purple are excellent choices.
- Size 12: The most versatile size. Works in virtually any river and imitates a wide range of stonefly species. Brown, ginger brown, purple, and fuchsia are all productive.
- Size 14 (Mini Pat's): Perfect for smaller streams, pressured fish, or as a dropper fly in a tandem rig. The mini version is also a great choice in late season when trout are more selective.
Color Selection
- Brown/Ginger Brown: The most natural color option. Best in clear water when trout are being selective.
- Black/Coffee Black: A high-contrast option that works well in off-color water and low-light conditions.
- Ginger Black: A versatile combination with a ginger body and black legs (or vice versa) that works in a wide range of conditions.
- Purple/Fuchsia: Attractor colors that trigger reaction strikes even when trout aren't actively feeding on stoneflies. Don't overlook these — they often outfish the natural colors.
- Tobacco Red: A unique color that works particularly well in rivers with reddish-brown substrate.
- Black Olive: A natural-looking combination that excels in rivers with dark, rocky bottoms.
How to Fish Pat's Rubber Leg
Pat's Rubber Leg is most effective when fished dead-drift along the bottom, where stonefly nymphs naturally crawl and drift. Here are the most productive techniques:
High-Stick Nymphing
High-stick nymphing is the classic technique for fishing Pat's Rubber Leg in fast, broken water. Cast upstream, mend your line, and follow the drift with your rod tip held high to keep as much line off the water as possible. Watch your leader for any hesitation or upstream movement — that's a take.
Euro Nymphing
Pat's Rubber Leg is a natural fit for euro nymphing. The heavy tungsten bead gets the fly down quickly, and the rubber legs create subtle movement that triggers strikes on a tight line. Fish it as the point fly in a tandem rig with a smaller nymph as the dropper.
Under an Indicator
In slower, deeper water, fish Pat's Rubber Leg under a strike indicator set at 1.5–2x the water depth. The fly should be drifting just above the bottom — adjust your indicator depth until you start occasionally ticking rocks.
Dry-Dropper
A size 14 Mini Pat's Stonefly makes an excellent dropper fly behind a large, buoyant dry fly like a Chubby Chernobyl. This combination covers both the surface and the water column and is particularly effective during stonefly season.
When to Fish Pat's Rubber Leg
Pat's Rubber Leg is effective year-round, but it truly shines during stonefly season — typically from late winter through early summer, depending on your location. Large stonefly nymphs are active throughout the year, crawling along the bottom and drifting in the current, making them a consistent food source for trout in any season.
Final Thoughts
Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly is one of those rare flies that works everywhere, all the time. Its combination of realistic profile, natural movement, and tungsten bead weight makes it a go-to pattern for trout in any river. Stock a range of sizes and colors from our Pat's Stoneflies collection — and keep them organized in a Nymph and Stonefly Box or our Small Nymph Fly Box.