Carter’s Rubber Legged Dragon #10

The Rubber Legged Dragon was designed by Carter Nelson at Calloway Gardens, Georgia. This fly was developed to be used in the lakes at the Gardens for huge bluegill. The weight derived from the bead chain eyes gets the fly down to the big fish, while still making it easy to cast. The Rubber Legged Dragon worked so well, it quickly caught on throughout the Southeast United States as a go-to fly for panfish in our lakes.

Knowing that the bigger “bull” bluegill and shellcrackers are often deeper, the conventional method of fishing this fly is casting out and letting it sink while keeping a tight line. Often, a bluegill will take the fly while it is dropping. After the fly is at the desired depth, begin a very slow retrieve. This method works very well. You will catch large panfish on this fly using this method.

What we learned is, other species are attracted to this fly as well, even catfish. Largemouth and smallmouth bass will take the Dragon. Trout in lakes and rivers like the Dragon. So, what was intended to be a panfish fly became an all around attractor for multiple species.

Anglers also learned that the Rubber Legged Dragon makes an excellent dropper off a popper, Kent's Stealth Bomber or Byron’s Knucklehead. You never know what is going to take it, but bass and other gamefish are often fooled by this fly when they opt out of the surface offering it is attached to.

Carter’s Rubber Legged Dragon is offered to us by Rainy’s Flies. This company has a reputation for high quality, durability and unique patterns tied under scrutiny of the originator which in this case is Carter Nelson. Offered in Black and Olive.

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Little River Outfitters is a fly shop and mail order company located in Townsend, Tennessee, a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have been family owned since 1994.