Re Fly of this week----Madam x-- has anyone tied this with knotted pheasant fibres as legs? We use those a lot in UK on Daddies and they look so natural
…Jim Clarke
Jim, I’ve haven’t ‘seen’ the difference in action between the rubber legs and the knotted pheasant, but Skip Morris who authored that FOTW, claims the longer rubber legs impart more action - which would be something to consider in tying any of the rubber legged flies. Personally I love the look of the knotted pheasant, and there were sold here at one time as “Legs on a Stick.” Great name.
You can still buy “Legs on a Stick.” I picked up a pack for about $5 a few months back. I got them at Kaufmann Streamborn. Here is their link if anyone is interested. http://www.kaufmannsstreamborn.com/Catalog/Fly-Tying-Supplies/Materials/Wings-Legs-Tails/
Jim,
For me, the pheasant tail legs are a bit of a pain for hopper patterns, and I’ve found the round rubber legs get a better response on stream (more “wiggly”). I tie them from a three-piece strip of round rubber tied in a knot (not to tight), then trim two pieces off for the leg extension. Here’s how I do it:
Natural is nice if tying for show, but I like the rubber legs for fishing. Also, they appear to be more durable than the natural
I looked up the Muddled Daddy By Raif Killips, and it looks like a candidate for the rubber legs as well. To me, the PT legs look fragile on this fly, not to mentionthat the fly looks like it would “sting” if touched. Gives me the heebie jeebies.:shock:
Joe