Legs/Side Chinchilla or Grizzly Zonker Rabbit Strips
Glue ZapAGap and Foam Safe ZapAGap
How to tie it
Start the thread and bind in the brown Ultra Chenille tail at the bend, 1.5 to 2 shank lengths long, so it does not invite short strikes. Snip the excess.
Cut a strip of tan 2mm foam about a hook gap wide and double it over. Bind it in on top of the shank at the bend, keeping it even on both sides; this is the back and it must fold over straight later.
Tie in a chinchilla zonker rabbit strip on each side in reverse: bind it by the rear end with the hair pulled forward and the hide facing out, so that when it folds forward the hair lies back flush along the body.
Cut narrow strips of 2mm foam and bind them on the underside pointing rearward at a slight downward angle, close together, so they cover the belly when folded forward. Reposition any that sit too high.
Bind a couple of extra foam strips along the shank and cinch them with thread wraps to build a bulky, even underbody; it will all be covered.
Pull the belly strips forward together, checking the underside for full coverage, pinch them at the front and bind them down.
Pull each rabbit strip forward over the foam belly, peel the fur away where the thread will bite, bind the hide down, trim, and take a couple of tight wraps.
Fold the belly foam strips back on themselves at the front into small loops a little shorter than the hook eye, as evenly sized as you can; these make the fly wake.
Pull the wide back foam over the top, take a loose wrap and then cinch down. Give the foam a quick haircut so a large whip finisher slides over it, and whip finish.
Trim the leg loops short and rounded on the underside. Pull the top foam by its middle and cut straight across, leaving a small lip over the front for popping action; pulling the middle rounds the corners.