Welcome back to Tying Tuesday, fly junkies!
This week, Tyler is back in the studio, bringing the heat with a user-requested classic—the TJ Hooker. Just like the hard-hitting 1982 police drama, this fly means business—working the water like a city cop on a mission, flashing its moves and stirring up trouble for those picky trout. By smashing together the seductive flow of marabou with the undeniable action of Pat’s Rubber Legs, you get a juicy, tantalizing, and downright irresistible pattern. It’s got the wiggle, the swagger, and the attitude to make trout throw caution to the current. Tie it up. Throw it down. Let the chase begin.
Tie it. Fish it. Love it.
Let’s go! 🎣💥
Recipe:
• Hook: Umpqua U555, Specialty Jig Hook / SUB – MFC Barbless Black Nickle Jig Hook
• Thread: UNI Thread, 6/0. Dark Brown
• Bead: Umpqua 3.8 Slotted Tungsten bead, Gold
• Tail: MFC Marabou Mini Barred, Brown & Black
• Body: Hareline Variegated Chenille Medium, Black & Brown
• Legs: UNI Flexx Thread 1680D, Brown
***Please note, some materials sell out quickly on Tuesdays after a video drops – you can always call Customer Service if you have a question about an alternate material option (720-836-3619)***
Tips & Tricks for Fishing Pat’s Rubber Legs & TJ Hooker Stonefly Imitations 🎣🔥
Stonefly imitations like Pat’s Rubber Legs and the TJ Hooker are absolute trout slayers, especially in waters with strong stonefly populations. These patterns offer lifelike movement, bold profiles, and irresistible action that big fish can’t ignore. Here’s how to fish them effectively:
1. Choose the Right Rigging Setup
- Single Nymph Rig: Perfect for shallower runs or pocket water. Use a small split shot above the fly to help it get down.
- Two-Fly Nymph Rig: Pair with a smaller attractor like a Frenchie, Rainbow Warrior, or Flashback Pheasant Tail for a deadly combination.
- Dry-Dropper Rig: Use a high-floating dry fly (like a Chubby Chernobyl or Stimulator) and drop a Pat’s Rubber Legs or TJ Hooker below 1.5-3 feet of tippet.
- Euro Nymphing: With added weight, these flies can be effective tight-lining through riffles and seams.
2. Fish the Right Water
Stoneflies thrive in faster-moving, oxygen-rich waters with rocky bottoms. Focus on:
✅ Riffles & Pocket Water: Fish hold in these zones to snack on tumbling stoneflies.
✅ Seams & Drop-Offs: Transition zones where trout wait for food to come to them.
✅ Deep Runs & Pools: Use extra weight to dead drift your fly near the bottom.
✅ Undercut Banks & Boulders: Ideal ambush spots for aggressive trout.
3. Master the Presentation
- Dead Drift is King: Cast upstream and let your fly drift naturally like a real stonefly dislodged by the current.
- Mend Like a Pro: Avoid unnatural drag by making upstream mends to maintain a natural drift.
- Twitch It Occasionally: A small twitch with your rod tip mimics a struggling nymph and can trigger strikes.
- High-Stick Through Runs: Keep minimal line on the water for better control and strike detection.
4. Adjust Weight & Depth
- Stonefly nymphs cling to the bottom, so your fly needs to be in the strike zone.
- If you’re not ticking bottom occasionally, add weight! Use tungsten putty or split shot to get it down.
- For TJ Hooker, consider a slightly larger bead head or fishing it as a lead fly in a tandem nymph rig.
5. Time of Year & Conditions
- Spring & Early Summer: Stoneflies are hatching or getting dislodged by runoff, making these patterns prime choices.
- Before & During a Hatch: Fish Pat’s Rubber Legs subsurface in the morning, then switch to a dry-dropper rig when adults start flying.
- High Water & Runoff: Trout key in on big meals—fish these flies deep and slow.
6. Color & Size Selection
- Black & Brown: Classic choices that match natural stonefly colors.
- Olive & Tan: Good for mimicking different life stages or less pressured fish.
- Golden or Yellow: Perfect for Golden Stonefly hatches.
- Size 6-12: Bigger in early season & runoff, smaller when water levels drop.
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
