DAVIDTROUTs idea stolen

Tandem

So what will happen next? how do you plan to remove the front hook behind the bend? just with side cutters? or fish it the way it is?

I think its more hooks than you need for steelhead, and may end up with the fish getting multiple hook injuries that aren't necessary to land it. I'd keep just the one at the rear.

If you're after muskies or some such, carry on.

Shorter Articulation?

Generally, I have found with articulated stuff and spey rods...if you have the longer of the two in the back, you end up with more fouled flies where the rear hook turns the fly around backwards with the hook riding on the tippet.

The fly is killer looking, I might re-design it so that the front shank is the longer of the two.

I don't know if it is because of Snap "T" "C' or the way the flies leave the water when anchored?

BB~

I like the overall look but agree that there is a lot of hook there. generally you may be able to get by with something like an Owner needle point #6, I stick a lot of fish on them without a barb. But the tie looks good,

Ard

david trout said his was for Delaware rv browns.
I put this in my pike/bass box.
it is a larger version of my steelhead fly & this is a steelhead site I just liked davidtrouts fly

just for the record his fly had both hooks & nobody said anything about it
I brought this crap down on myself by using the wacky hooks so I take it with a grain of salt

Hey Badfish- I didn't mean to be bringing anything down on you- just an opinion on steelhead flies- I haven't ever found more than one hook necessary as the take on swung fly is nearly always from behind, and seems to be a nip at the tail end. Yes, I've occasionally had a fly hammered on impact and I have no idea what part of the fly is getting hit then.

It's a good looking bug and seem alike it would be killer for pike and muskie- and most of the guys I know tying for those fish are using multi hook flies as the hit can come at the head, middle or tail of the fly.

I thought Bruce's comment was interesting and not something I'd ever thought of, that his experience with articulated flies and spey casting had sometimes caused tangles.

I'm a fan of trout's flies as well- and I love to experiment when tying. I've got no criticism, just thoughts.

SLSS said:

Hey Badfish- I didn't mean to be bringing anything down on you- just an opinion on steelhead flies- I haven't ever found more than one hook necessary as the take on swung fly is nearly always from behind, and seems to be a nip at the tail end. Yes, I've occasionally had a fly hammered on impact and I have no idea what part of the fly is getting hit then.

It's a good looking bug and seem alike it would be killer for pike and muskie- and most of the guys I know tying for those fish are using multi hook flies as the hit can come at the head, middle or tail of the fly.

I thought Bruce's comment was interesting and not something I'd ever thought of, that his experience with articulated flies and spey casting had sometimes caused tangles.

I'm a fan of trout's flies as well- and I love to experiment when tying. I've got no criticism, just thoughts.

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im not offended at all or anything because I truly don't care what people think.
trout did say he started with 1 hook but saw fish hitting the front not getting the hook.

when I started the stinger hook style of flies my 1st fish hit broadside took the hook to the outside of the face. in Michigan that's an illegal hook up.
because I fish summer runs I was forced to take a fish home that died while fighting it due to heat stroke, that could have got me a ticket.
so a front hook would have kept me legal.

as for tangling all flies tangle from time to time.

BADFISH RISING said:

david trout said his was for Delaware rv browns.
I put this in my pike/bass box.
it is a larger version of my steelhead fly & this is a steelhead site I just liked davidtrouts fly

just for the record his fly had both hooks & nobody said anything about it
I brought this crap down on myself by using the wacky hooks so I take it with a grain of salt

Click to expand...

The reason David left the front hook in is because last year he noticed that some trout were hitting the front of the fly in which he was losing fish. This is something he is experimenting this year to see if his theory was correct.
For hook sizes I can vouch for David since I see him or talk to him everday are very small. These pictures make hooks look bigger then what they are. I use size 2 trailers David wouldnt even think of using a hook that size. He uses 6 and 8. Not to say they don't cause damage but when it comes to hooks the fishes health are a major concern of his and he takes that into consideration when tying a fly. That being said your fly for pike calls for a bigger hook. David gives me hell for a #2 so don't sweat it. It was your first attempt at his fly. Sometimes when you sit at the vise things or ideas just start flowing and you end up with something's little different.

BADFISH RISING said:

im not offended at all or anything because I truly don't care what people think.
trout did say he started with 1 hook but saw fish hitting the front not getting the hook.

when I started the stinger hook style of flies my 1st fish hit broadside took the hook to the outside of the face. in Michigan that's an illegal hook up.
because I fish summer runs I was forced to take a fish home that died while fighting it due to heat stroke, that could have got me a ticket.
so a front hook would have kept me legal.

as for tangling all flies tangle from time to time.

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Badfish, so who forced you to take that fish home ? And how exactly would a second hook have kept you legal ? In an earlier post you mentioned how you've seen some of the most unethical stuff here in our backyard, yet you yourself have posted several pics of wild steelhead lying on gravel ? Not only are those pics distasteful, sorry, but unless you harvested those fish they are unethical. Fish don't breathe out of water. Sorry buddy, yes I'm a Michigander, but I call a spade a spade.

Honyuk96 said:

Badfish, so who forced you to take that fish home ? And how exactly would a second hook have kept you legal ? In an earlier post you mentioned how you've seen some of the most unethical stuff here in our backyard, yet you yourself have posted several pics of wild steelhead lying on gravel ? Not only are those pics distasteful, sorry, but unless you harvested those fish they are unethical. Fish don't breathe out of water. Sorry buddy, yes I'm a Michigander, but I call a spade a spade.

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I do keep legally hooked fish.
some fish I do release.

some of those fish laying in the shallows were never lifted just photographed then turned around.
the old dark fish was taken out of water so you are right to call me out on that.

I had to take the fish in question home because high water temps caused it to die before I landed it. what should I have done just left it lying in the water dead?
a front hook on that fly would have "probably" been in the mouth since the fish t-boned the fly

don't pretend Michigan steelhead are wild we are a put & take state

Double Hooks

Keep at it and learn the spirit of the unicorn....
Your a good bloke.

BADFISH RISING said:

I do keep legally hooked fish.
some fish I do release.

some of those fish laying in the shallows were never lifted just photographed then turned around.
the old dark fish was taken out of water so you are right to call me out on that.

I had to take the fish in question home because high water temps caused it to die before I landed it. what should I have done just left it lying in the water dead?
a front hook on that fly would have "probably" been in the mouth since the fish t-boned the fly

don't pretend Michigan steelhead are wild we are a put & take state

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Many of Michigans fish actually are wild, or naturally reproducing fish, depending on the watershed your fishing. Based off your pics, which are quite grainy, I'd say maybe two are clipped. Meaning the rest of those fish are probably "wild" versus a hatchery fish. Take a look at Au Sable steelhead and you'll notice the majority are fin clipped hatchery fish. Regardless, I still think you've posted some distasteful photos which generally speaking is a bad reflection of Michigan fisherman.

All fish no matter where from should be treated respectfully hatchery or not. Your sorry standards for "what's wild and what's not" truly means nothing to anyone but yourself. He saw TROUT hitting the head because that's how trout go at streamers, head first for the kill. Steelhead nip at the back of the fly hence the stinger, that double hook is ridiculous in any steelhead box. If you really justify the front hook because the fish side swiped it, stop lying to yourself. If and when a fish smokes that fly the stinger will surely find its way into flesh without the help of the front hook, sideswiped or not and if it doesn't, that's on you....not the absence of a front hook.

Not my style to stick my nose places, but your arrogance was to good to pass up.

These types of "discussions" are not constructive.