Its almost May and the weather here in southwest Montana is going to improve. The ground has thawed and insects are beginning to move about. The trout are also becoming more active as the days get longer and longer. There's one go-to fly pattern I've quickly come to enjoy fishing with. The Girdle Bug. The GB doesn't represent any one terrestrial insect, but has a silhouette and rubber legs that look like a tasty wad of dead drifting, crunchy, bug. The Girdle Bug can trick a trout into thinking it's a salmonfly, grasshopper, minnow, or crayfish. Regardless what it looks like, this fly works!
I find hook sizes six through ten work great. I'm usually using a six to produce impulse strikes and larger fish. The bait comes in many different colors and patterns. I stick with black and brown. The Girdle Bug can be effectively fished the majority of the warmer months. Around the time the early perennials have started to come up is when I believe the Girdle Bug can be used. Use the GB as a top fly with a small dropper underneath. When I was learning to cast I would use just the Girdle Bug and no dropper to avoid tangles and knots. An appropriate sized split-shot weight between the two or above the top fly works best. Many trout hang out on the outside of the far bank furthest from path that fisherman walk. So, cast upstream and as close to the bank as you can. Placing your indicator around 7-8 feet allows your bait to drift and bounce along the bottom realistically.
The Girdle Bug is a great go-to fly to use in freestone streams and rivers. Its big enough to attract the large trout but can make the smaller guys strike on impulse. The rubber legs move while the rig is dead-drifting so it has action of its own. I've gotten strikes on the back swing while floating down river as well. It can be retrieved with action but dead drifting seems most effective. Whether you're new or know all about the sport, the Girdle Bug is a good fly to have in your fly box during the non-winter months.
Thanks John, I try to help others out where I struggled during the sport. Its hard not to give away too many good secrets though ;)
ReplyDeleteThis pattern is deadly and draws massive strikes from fish. Especially river Smallmouth Bass. After the 1st experience of it, you become sold on this pattern. Tight lines.
ReplyDeleteJohn Klovt you were so on point in your comment here about this post. My 1st time ever using it and losing it to a massive strike from a river fish, caused me to keep this pattern in my fly box. Don't leave home without some!
ReplyDelete