jaymack Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I am looking to start tying up some bigger, articulated streamers, mainly for the Bow. I am wondering what some opinions are on hook sizes and shank lengths are. I was looking at some patterns which call for up to a 2/0 Gamakatsu B10S, and a size 1 saltwater hook for the trailer. These seem like awfully large hooks to put into a trout. I was thinking of going with longer shanked, 3-4x long streamer hooks in sizes 2-6 or so, which will still give me the length without the massive gape. I have never fished articulated streamers before, let alone tried to tie one, so I was also wondering about the pros and cons of using just a shank for the front part of the fly vs a hook, and anything else that might help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigdirty Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm also interested in what people are doing for articulated streamers. Here's what I do, two size six gamakatsu b10s stingers. Would use size 4 but they are always sold out. Don't eat me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villageidiot Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I go 2/0 b10s-1/0 b10s. Or another good alternative is the daichii 2720 2/0-1/0, those things do not miss. You will be shocked at how many fish you will miss with narrow gapes. Its actually bloody frustrating. Its not like the bow is fishery where you're doing considerable damage with mortality. If you're fishing big flies you're typically looking for big trout, i dont think you're going to be doubting the decision to use wide gape hooks when mr 2'+ long bruinsie comes your way. But you might be cursing yourself when he tries to eat your streamer 3 or 4 times and you dont even prick him. Plus you'll keep most of the runty baby trout < 18" off your flies too which is nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muha Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I use softbait worm hooks, straight shank. 1/0-3/0, plenty of shank to tie on as bulky as you want, good keel, keeps flies swimming true, large eyes to tie on whatever tippet you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhad Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm a fan of Daiichi 2460 in #2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdo Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 What are you guys using for the wire to attach the hooks together? If using and articulated shank from fish men, better to have hook at back or hook in the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcubed Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I go 2/0 b10s-1/0 b10s. Or another good alternative is the daichii 2720 2/0-1/0, those things do not miss. You will be shocked at how many fish you will miss with narrow gapes. Its actually bloody frustrating. Its not like the bow is fishery where you're doing considerable damage with mortality. If you're fishing big flies you're typically looking for big trout, i dont think you're going to be doubting the decision to use wide gape hooks when mr 2'+ long bruinsie comes your way. But you might be cursing yourself when he tries to eat your streamer 3 or 4 times and you dont even prick him. Plus you'll keep most of the runty baby trout < 18" off your flies too which is nice. dear lord...size 2/0s for trout? Are you trying to catch them, or brain them so they are easier to land? Actually thinking to yourself that 'you're not doing considerable damage with mortality' due to the population size of the Bow as a reason to use a 2/0 is repulsive. For trout I'd suggest size 4 and smaller as the trailer. This is more then enough for ALL trout, regardless of 'chasing the big guys'. There is really no need to be fishing double hooks. If you're so hard pressed to land a fish, technique is going to do a lot more for you then adding more pointy bits. I'll certainly play the precautionary principle card on this one. I use mustad 3407 DT for shanks. Cut the hook off, and use a small stinger. You can get these in pretty well any size, so if you're tying a large fly, just go to a bigger 3407 (and cut off the hook..). The point of a stinger is that you have a small hook shank, such that it is harder to become a lever to pop out of the fish. Big Dirty's fly looks plenty capable, and isn't of ridiculous gape size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villageidiot Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 What are you guys using for the wire to attach the hooks together? If using and articulated shank from fish men, better to have hook at back or hook in the front? 30lb fireline. Better to have the hook in the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdo Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks villageiodit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaymack Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 What are you using for the connecting wire bigdirty? It looks stiffer than fireline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigdirty Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 That's intruder wire. I find it helps keep the rear hook from fouling on the head. Also I like the connection to the back hook, lots of freedom to move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFoamy Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 TyGear, also had some old Toothy Critter that I used up as well. Both are a coated wire leader material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFoamy Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 As far a hooks go I try to use what the pattern calls for. I have and use #1, #2, #4 B10s stingers and or streamer hooks in sizes 2 and 4 with 3x long shanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfisher Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 I use Gamakatsu Octopus hooks for trailing hooks for bows and bulls. (I'm in BC so we are only allowed one hook. The trailed hook is all you need anyway, unless a particular fly design requires the keel effect of two hooks to swim in an upright position). A #4 hook on a 3 - 3 1/2" fly is perfect. I tend to keep my hooks as small as is reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigdirty Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Anyone have an idea for replacing rear hooks after bending them too many times? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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