A rabbit-strip back, variegated chenille and rubber legs combine Zonker movement with a Girdle Bug profile.
The Zirdle combines a Zonker rabbit strip with a rubber-legged Girdle Bug body. This recipe follows Kit Sawyer’s detailed Spring 2009 account of the streamer-hook dressing, which predates the many jig-bead versions now sold and tied. It is one representative of the Zirdle family, not an attribution of the pattern’s invention to Sawyer.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Weight and flash the shank
Wrap a short section of wire around the shank and cover it with black thread. Tie a modest olive Krystal Flash tail at the bend.
Bench note Keep the wire behind the eye and leave enough shank for the front legs.
02
Anchor rabbit and chenille
Tie the olive rabbit strip by its hide at the bend with the fur trailing rearward, then secure yellow-brown variegated chenille beside it.
Bench note Hold both materials behind the bend while placing the legs.
03
Place two sets of legs
About one third along the shank, bind a Sili Leg on each side at its midpoint to make two forward and two rearward projections. Repeat around two thirds along the shank.
Bench note Keep the leg lengths balanced so the fly does not roll or look crowded.
04
Wind the chenille underbody
Wrap the chenille forward through the two leg stations, placing turns behind and ahead of each station to spread the legs. Secure the chenille near the eye.
Bench note Avoid trapping the rubber legs beneath the chenille.
05
Pull over the rabbit back
Draw the olive rabbit strip along the top of the chenille body, secure its hide at the front and trim the unused hide without cutting the long fur.
Bench note Keep the strip centered so the fur can move freely over both sides.
06
Set antennae and finish
Tie a final short pair of Sili Legs forward from the head like antennae, whip finish and apply a little head cement.
Bench note Clear the hook eye while preserving room for the rabbit and legs to move.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Dead-drift the fly as a large subsurface nymph, or give it movement by swinging or stripping it near deeper water. Its rabbit strip and long legs can suggest several substantial trout foods, including stoneflies and crayfish.
