Taming unruly rubber legs before tying?

[niveker 0]

2 hours ago, DWSmith said:

So from FTD this is par for the course

With their bug legs, I think so.  FTD legs that I've used are pretty thin, but I've only used them in the smaller sizes,  and on his website he doesn't have a direct comparison to other rubber legs, only his own.  They both have their application. 

When you get the medium legs, watch how they act when fishing them compared to a fly with skinnier legs.

 

[Guest]

The ones that come in strips can be left unseparated for larger bugs and stiffer action.   For streamers like Dungeons the silicones can make a more fluid action and many have sparkle/flakes in them.  Bought a big spinner bait skirt making kit years ago at BP and DD got the  whole set of Crazy legs for $20 online. 

 

[Philly 0]

I originally used rubber legs when I first started tying warm water flies in the mid to late 90's.  I was looking through a Jann's Netcraft catalog and I stumbled on spinner bait skirt layers.  I ordered some and started using them for legs.  They were easier to work with than rubber legs, more colors and more durable.  I'm not sure when they first started showing up in fly shops as "sili legs" or "crazy legs"  Another fortune I stumbled over and missed.    You should give them a try.  I think you'll like them better.  Denduke's bottom picture is good example of what's available.  On the left are the spinner bait skirt layers, on the right are spinner bait skirts.  He and I have a similar taste in colors.  There are other types of spinner bait skirt available.  I use one style to tie an updated version of a bass fly called the Calcasieu Pig Boat.  Here's a couple of them

Actually a pretty good imitation of a swim jig.  I need to make a couple with a Zonker Strip trailer

[Guest]

Philly, you converted me to silicone.