How to Fish Foam-bodied Surface Bug Flies.

Examples of Foam-bodied Surface Bug Flies

As a rule, flies with rubber legs are fairly large and are used on all types of moving and still waters. They suggest a variety of insects including caddisflies, stoneflies, dragonflies and can be fished both on top and under the surface water. Fish are curiously tempted to strike when they are presented with a variety of twitching techniques. 

If you are fly fishing waters where cruising fish are visible near the surface, cast the fly about four to five feet ahead of the fish but not directly in its path. A few short twitches should get its interest. Even if a fish doesn’t get excited, you better be ready because it has seen it. If it’s going to take it the fish will slowly turn around and nonchalantly head for what the fish believes is an easy meal. Anticipating a strike is exciting, so be ready because the take will be explosive. 

You can also hook fish by dead drifting patterns in a stream or by casting and stripping them using various cadences. Above are a few examples of effective patterns. 

For tying instructions for the Girdle Bug, see my January 1, 2014, blog post:  "Tying Rubber Legged Flies."