Ian Rutter’s yellow Rubber Leg Tellico example: weighted body, peacock rib, turkey back and lively rubber appendages.
“Rubber Leg Nymph” is a broad index label, so this page uses a named and thoroughly documented example: Ian Rutter’s Rubber Leg Tellico. Its yellow dubbed body, turkey back and peacock rib distinguish it from the catalog’s black-chenille Pat’s Rubber Legs/Girdle Bug. The indexed photo is not claimed as Rutter’s tie.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Weight the hook
Wrap lead-free wire across most of the shank while leaving free space at both ends. Start brown thread at the front, cover the wire and carry the thread to the bend.
Bench note Do not crowd the future head with weight wraps.
02
Set rubber tail and turkey back
Fold a length of brown round rubber and tie its midpoint at the rear to form two tail strands. Anchor a hook-gape-wide turkey-tail strip there by its sturdier inner fibers, with the strip pointing back.
Bench note Leave the rubber long until final trimming.
03
Dub and rib the abdomen
Create a short thread loop at the rear and tie in two peacock herls. Dub yellow stonefly material over about two thirds of the shank, then twist the herls with the loop and spiral the reinforced rib forward. Secure a brown hackle by its tip at the abdomen front.
Bench note The twisted loop protects the fragile peacock rib.
04
Add side legs and thorax
Tie matching brown rubber lengths to both sides of the open front third. Dub over their bases and form a broader yellow thorax ahead of the abdomen.
Bench note Keep the rubber pairs horizontal and balanced on both sides.
05
Wrap hackle and close back
Wind the brown hackle through the thorax in a few open turns. Tie in another rubber length at the front for antennae, then draw the turkey strip forward over the top and secure it just behind the hook eye.
Bench note Lift the antennae clear of the eye before finishing.
06
Finish and trim
Whip finish, lightly coat the turkey back for durability, and trim each rubber pair to balanced lengths. Check that the hook eye stays fully open.
Bench note Wait for the coating to cure before fishing.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Rutter fishes this weighted golden-stonefly suggestion close to the bottom. He identifies size 10 as a versatile choice and describes both indicator and tight-line presentations; adjust weight and leader to current and depth.