A weighted, leggy warmwater fly with a twisted ice-chenille body and rubber legs.
Texas angler Bruce Sublett created the Goober Bug as an impressionistic, leggy fly. This written dressing follows Chris W’s photographed warmwater tie, including its twisted chenille loop and wire underbody.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Lay the front thread base
Secure the hook and cover the front quarter of its shank with close wraps of burnt-orange thread.
Bench note Leave the hook eye clear for a small finish.
02
Anchor the wire
Wind 10–15 touching lead-free wire turns immediately behind the front thread base. Bind their ends with thread, then carry the thread back to the bend.
Bench note Cover both wire ends so the chenille will not snag on them.
03
Set the rear legs
At the bend, tie in two rubber-leg strands with their ends pointing back. Fold the forward ends rearward and bind them again to make four trailing leg ends, then trim them to roughly a shank length.
Bench note Keep the leg ends separate while tightening the wraps.
04
Make a chenille loop
Cut a 6–8-inch piece of ice chenille. Secure both ends at the bend so the middle forms a loose loop behind the fly.
Bench note Keep the loop free until the front legs are in place.
05
Add the middle legs
Move the thread to the middle of the shank. Bind in two more rubber-leg lengths, then secure their forward-facing sections up to the front edge of the wire wraps.
Bench note Leave their free ends outside the path of the chenille.
06
Twist and wind the body
Grip the chenille loop with hackle pliers or a loop tool and twist it into a thicker cord. Wrap that cord toward the eye, brushing rubber legs out from under each turn. Secure and trim the chenille.
Bench note A consistent twist gives the body an even texture.
07
Finish the head
Build a small thread head, whip finish and apply a touch of flexible cement. Check that the hook eye and gap are clear.
Bench note Trim any leg that was trapped by a body wrap.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Let the weighted fly sink beside bass or panfish cover, then try short pulls separated by pauses. Watch the line as it falls; adjust the retrieve and weight to the water you fish.
