Video: How to Tie-In Rubber Leg Material

A few months ago, we launched a new series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video will teach a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.

Working with rubber legs can be a real hassle, as the wiggly material is tough to hold onto and to keep in place on the hook shank. In this video, Tim shows you how to use loops of legging material–rather than small strands–to solve these problems. By binding everything to the shank before cutting the legs to size, you can ensure proper placement and orientation, which will make your patterns much more attractive and effective. A little tugging on the legs doesn’t hurt, either.