The Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback: Tie It, Fish It, Love It

There are a few fly patterns with a reputation for the versatility, and staying power of John Barr's iconic Copper John. This pattern was a revolutionary pattern of its time blending perfectly the added weight, and natural imitation to the fly fishing community.  Whether you are a beginner just starting out, or a seasoned veteran the Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback Nymph is an exciting variation of this time-tested classic that will leave you itching to hit the water!

Here we will dive into the history of the Copper John Nymph, and explore why the addition of rubber legs and a flashback wing case help elevate this pattern to a new level.  With all this, you will see exactly why this pattern deserves a place in your nymph box.  Excels fished with a Tight Line Euro Set UP to fishing under an indicator, this fly is sure to deliver- and the adventure is guaranteed to leave you grinning.

The Legendary Copper John: A Modern Classic

When talking about modern nymphing it is nearly impossible not to mention John Barr, the mastermind behind the original Copper John Nymph introduced back in the 1990s.  During this time the Copper John quickly became one of the most sought-after flies in every fly shop, and at every tiers vise.  This was due to its innovative use of materials with a slime-wired body to help the fly slink faster and create a segmented body making it one of the most effective patterns still today.

All these things helped this pattern stand out in a sea of traditional nymphs due to the added weight of the body helping the fly sink and get into the feeding zone quicker.  This pattern is a game changer for anglers worldwide due to its quick sink rate, buggy look, and the movement of the rubber legs.  Whether you are trying to mimic a stonefly, mayfly, or just needing a general attractor nymph the Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback Nymph is exactly what you are looking for, and it just flat out works.  There are countless variations of the Copper John, including our Rajin Copper John Variant that we tie and love to fish, or just tying John Barrs original masterpiece.

The Rubber Leg Twist: Extra Life and Movement

With the addition of the Rubber Legs to the Copper John takes this iconic fly and adds a new layer of realism.  The original sports the added weight to help increase the sink rate of this fly, but by adding the use of rubber legs you introduce natural movement and life to this classic pattern.  Enjoy the feeding trigger characteristics that you get naturally with the movement from the rubber legs adding more realism to this pattern whether fished under an indicator, with a Tight Line Euro Nymph technique, or just a natural drift and swing the pulsing movement of the legs will help trigger a feeding response by your favorite fish. 

Why does this matter? Well, fish are keen on movement. Stoneflies, mayflies, and other aquatic insects often twitch and wriggle as they drift through the water. The rubber legs mimic this action, giving the fly a more realistic profile and triggering instinctive strikes.

The Black/Copper Variation: A Deadly Fish Catcher

The Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback Nymph combines the best of two worlds:

1. Black and Copper – A color combination that excels as a general attractor, while also imitating a Black Stonefly or a darker mayfly nymph. The black and copper wire body adds a beautiful contrast of color.
2. Flashback – The addition of a flashback wing case provides just the right amount of visibility, and flash to help capture the fishes attention.

Perfect for Euro Nymphing and Beyond

Whether you’re dead drifting under an indicator or tight-line Euro Nymphing, this fly shines as both an attractor and an anchor fly:

1. Weighted for Success – The wire body and tungsten bead give this fly the weight it needs to quickly sink to the strike zone. This makes it perfect as an anchor fly in a two-fly Euro Nymph rig. It’ll hug the bottom and help your dropper fly stay in the zone.
2. Movement Matters – The rubber legs come to life in the current, making the fly appear more natural and enticing. Fish watching for subtle motion will zero in on this pattern and take the bait.
3. Versatility – Not just for Euro Nymphing! Drop this fly under an indicator, swing it in riffles, or drop it under a large dry fly as a dry dropper combo.  It is effective in a variety of situations, from small streams to big rivers.

Tie It and Make It Your Own

The best part about the Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John is that it’s both fun to tie and fish. We think you will enjoy how we tie in and wrap our wire to create a more symmetrical bodied fly.  You’ll enjoy the creative process of tying the slim, wire-wrapped body, adding the lifelike legs, and finishing it off with the flashy wing case. This is a fly that builds skill at the vise while filling your box with something fish crave.

Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback Nymph Tying Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• Hook: Moonlit Premium TOGATTA ML502 sz8-14
• Bead: Moonlit Slotted Tungsten Matte Black 4.0mm-3.mm
• Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed 12/0 Black
• Tail/Legs: Semperfli SiliLegs Grizzly Flutter Smoke & Copper Flake (Micro Silicone Legs)
• Body/Rib: Semperfli Fly Tying Wire 0.2mm Copper and Black
• Thorax: Moonlit Fly Fishing Pine Squirrel Dubbing Black
• Wing Case: Semperfli Holographic Tinsel Copper 1/32" and Semperfli Mirror Tinsel 1/16" Mirage Iris
• UV Resin: Solarez Thin Hard UV Resin
• UV Pen: Moonlit Fly Fishing Quick Dry/Adjust UV Pen

Whether you tie them sparse or beef them up, the results are the same: hungry fish in the net.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

The Black/Copper Rubber Leg Copper John Flashback isn’t just another fly—it’s a tool for adventure. From small pocket water to wide open rivers, this fly delivers on its promise: to get down deep, trigger strikes, and leave you itching to come back for more.

Next time you’re at the vise, grab your materials, tie up a handful of these, and head to the water. Whether you're Euro Nymphing or drifting under an indicator, the fish will be waiting. It’s time to experience the thrill of catching fish on a fly you tied yourself—because nothing beats that feeling.

Tight lines, and happy tying! 🎣