I really like zonkers and other rabbit strip flies - but have a problem with durability with any rabbit strip flies after they have been wet then dried.

Does anyone know of something that can be done to ensure that these types of flies survive multiple dunkings.

I have tried using looser wraps over the strip, and using wider strips I've cut myself. It just seems to be an inherent problem with leather - that wetting then drying makes it brittle. This wouldnt be so bad except that I'm not always careful and my box gets wet, then all my flies get brittle, even if I havent fished them :'(