Articulated Streamer Question

[TyV]

Hey Everyone

I have begun tying some articulated streamers in the past few months. I bought some intruder wire and that works fine. It also is a bit rough on some of the thinner threads I use on some patterns at times. I have seen a few folks using what appears to be heavy mono for connecting the hooks together.

Can some of you please share what you use? For the record, I am mostly fishing for trout and not steelhead at this point. Really big trout sure, but still not steelhead. I would rather use mono and buy it in bulk as well. If you use mono please be specific with brand and lb. test etc... If you have good/bad experiences or other reasons for your choice of line/wire, I would love to hear those as well.

Thanks for your help.

Fish ON

Ty

[Darian]

If you're not already aware, there're several techniques available to make connections. The one I've been using involves Tyger Wire on my patterns. The wire's tied entirely on the front hook as a loop in the manner that Kelley Galloup ties his streamers. You can see this technique in a video on youtube, check out Kelley Galoups, Bottom's Up streamer.

I chose Tyger Wire instead of mono or single strand wire as each has a tendency to curl/kink and is difficult to straighten. Mono will deteriorate over time where Tyger Wire has a soft coating that provides some level of protection and doesn't appear to permanently kink/curl.

[Mark Kranhold]

There are lots of materials you can use ,if you were connecting a rabbit strip to the stinger I like to use fire wire it's more supple material and it will move and let the fly swim more naturally rather than stiff wire! It is a braided spectra line . It really just depends on what fly you were going to tie ,some people use backing material as well . If you were not tying anything to the stinger, wire is fine but if you are use us a more supple material.

[TaylerW]

Momo IMO is not durable enough to use on a fly that takes more than 10 minutes to tie. As for the specific wire, I use beadalon 7 strand. It's literally the same thing you buy at he fly shop for 1/50th of the price. Usually like $5 for 30m

[TyV]

Momo IMO is not durable enough to use on a fly that takes more than 10 minutes to tie. As for the specific wire, I use beadalon 7 strand. It's literally the same thing you buy at he fly shop for 1/50th of the price. Usually like $5 for 30m

Thank you all! This has already been super helpful in thinking about possibilities to try and see what I like, movement, tying ease, long term wear and tear etc... I think I will get some of each and play with them. Time to go shopping...again lol.

Tayler, what width and color do you prefer on the Beadalon 7 Strand? I see .010 up through .024 and several sizes in between.

[TaylerW]

That kinda comes down to personal preference and the breaking strength you want. I shoot for 24lb. Clear is the only thing I have gotten....

[JD]

Beadalon is supposed to be the same as AFW leader material, so 1x7 strand in .024" should be around 20# test. Kelly Galloup, on youtube.com anyway, supposedly likes 1x19 strand .37mm which is about 17# test. You can find the specs on the AFW web site and make your own choice. Best of luck.

[TyV]

Thank you all! Really very helpful and greatly appreciated.

[TyV]

There are lots of materials you can use ,if you were connecting a rabbit strip to the stinger I like to use fire wire it's more supple material and it will move and let the fly swim more naturally rather than stiff wire! It is a braided spectra line . It really just depends on what fly you were going to tie ,some people use backing material as well . If you were not tying anything to the stinger, wire is fine but if you are use us a more supple material.

Mark...your PM box is full. Thanks for the help. Hope your shoulder heals up quickly.

[Mark Kranhold]

Thanks Ty! I cleaned out inbox.