Articulated Streamers

[feathers5 0]

What is normally used to connect trailer hooks to the main hook on trout streamers or larger trout nymphs? I used to use a heavy mono, but I'm wondering if there's a better alternative. I haven't tied them for years. I used to tie a green drake wiggle nymph.

Bruce

[nightheron 0]

Normal in fly tying? There are a lot of different materials based on the fly and the fish. Wire for toothy critters is not necessary for trout. I use two different systems. Some patterns I will simply use flyline backing. Others I will use hard mason monofilament. With the backing, I am tying to the hook shank and looping through the eye of the rear hook and back to the front hook shank. Tie in and glue. On the hard mason I apply my already dressed rear hook and create a loop held parallel. I then wrap the entire loop with thread creating a "stick" that I then tie and glue to the forward hook. I do this on flies that are going to be too long for the material to bridge. I can apply materials to the post between the two hooks to make a seamless continuation of materials. Hope this helps but you will probably get better advice. There are some amazing tiers here.

[tidewaterfly 0]

Bruce, I tied an articulated leech pattern many years ago, and used 30 lb test black braided dacron. Most of the flies I tied where black in color so that braid worked well.

 

I haven't tied any recently, but did buy a few articulated leech flies a few months ago, and they were tied with a super braid like Power Pro, or similar.

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

for smaller nymphs I use power braid or spider wire or dacron fly backing whatever I have handy for bass streamers I use 20 lbs mono for pike and musky I use steel leader

[kodiaksalmon 0]

I don't tie much for trout, if at all really, but for steelhead, I'll use either Power Pro braid or a braided dacron.

[ShortStrike 0]

I started using 30lb Berkley fireline recently. It's stiffer than dacron, so it will hold the hook upright and keeps it away from the fly better. Plus it's got some serious abrasion resistance.

[Fly Fishing Russia 0]

What is normally used to connect trailer hooks to the main hook on trout streamers or larger trout nymphs? I used to use a heavy mono, but I'm wondering if there's a better alternative. I haven't tied them for years. I used to tie a green drake wiggle nymph.

Bruce

 

For BIG articulated streamers (4-6" long, see attachments) I am using the line braided line for the harpoon gun. It is made in different sizes; normally I use 1.5 or 2.0 mm lines. See Articulated Grayling among the fly patterns of this site.

[swink 0]

RIO: 30lb Knottable wire with a couple of beads