How to Tie Articulated Streamers

The articulated streamer is a type of fly used in fly fishing. It is comprised of two pieces hinged together so that the rear section moves independently of the front section. There are numerous types of articulated streaming flies used for a variety of fishing needs. Some flies, as in the case of an articulated leech, have a head, body and tail sections--three hooks tied and hinged together. Regardless of the type of articulated streamer desired, each is put together in the same general way.

Things You'll Need

  • Thread, size 6/0 in Chartreuse
  • Hooks, two in size 4
  • Marabou feathers, chartreuse
  • Whiting hen neck feathers, chartreuse
  • Hard monofilament, in 8-pound test
  • Bead chain balls, large size in chrome
  • Fly-tying vise
  • Scissors
  • Super glue
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Instructions

  1. The Tail

    • 1

      Clamp one of the hooks into the fly-tying vise. Tie the thread to the hook near the eye. Wrap the thread around the shank of the hook tightly so there is a good base to the beginning of the hook bend.

    • 2

      Cut about an inch off the tip of a marabou feather. Stroke the fronds back to expose the stem end, as well. The feather should be 1 1/2 times the length of the hook. Lay the feather on the hook and tie the tip of the feather near the bend of the hook by wrapping thread around it.

    • 3

      Pick a small to medium hen feather and measure the fronds to the hook. The fronds should reach past the sides of the hook by 3/8 inch, at least. Tie, again by wrapping thread, on top of the marabou feather. Now bend the hen feather forward and tie it again with a couple of thread wraps. Snip off the excess stem. Continue to add hen feathers, overlapping each other until the shank of the hook is filled. Tie the thread off with a tight knot and dab it with the super glue. To ensure that the wraps stay tight, they can also have a light coat of glue.

    The Body and Hinge

    • 4

      Insert second hook into the vise. Crimp the barb down and wind on a thread base. The thread base is done the same way as it was in making the tail. With the thread near the eye of the hook, tie on the two chain beads. Wrap the thread around the wire that joins the beads together in a figure-eight pattern. End with the thread behind the chain beads on the shank.

    • 5

      Cut a 3-inch section of the 8-pound test monofilament. Lay it on top of the shank, so that it extends past the bend of the hook and one end is behind the chain beads. Wrap it down, ending with the thread at the bend in the hook.

    • 6

      Thread the free end of the monofilament through the eye of the tail hook. This is the hinge of the fly. Adjust the length of the hinge to the desired distance. Too far apart and the pieces will foul on each other. Too close together and there is little to no articulation. Lay the free end of the monofilament on the shank of the body hook. Wrap tightly down and snip off any excess monofilament.

    • 7

      Strip some fronds from a marabou feather and tie down to form a skirt over the hinge between the tail and the body.

    • 8

      Add large hen feathers to the body, as was done for the tail. These feathers should extend close to a half-inch past the others. Wrap and add feathers until the shank is covered, up to the chain beads. Once there, tie the thread off tightly and coat with glue. Again, the body thread can also have a light coat to keep it in place.