A while back I wrote about an epiphany that I had while watching a fly fishing show. That epiphany came in the form of a two streamer combination that the host employed. It seemed so simple yet creative all at the same time. Since then, I have used this set-up on two different occasions and have caught fish each time. I thought I would share some pictures and observations that might help you out if you decide to give this method a try.
In both instances, I paired wooly buggers. The lead fly was always an olive pearl wooly that I have nicknamed "the Christmas tree ornament). I figured the flash would get a fish's attention and maybe get them interested in feeding. The second fly was a little more drab. On one occasion I went with a black and olive wooly as a trailer since the water was a little murky. On another occasion I went with a white bodied wooly with olive hackle and tail since the water was a little clearer. On both occasions, I caught fish on both flies. Fish seemed a little more interest in the flashier fly but both got bit.
In terms of set up, I accidentally had about 12 inches of fluorocarbon between the flies on my first experiment. I underestimated how much line was going to be taken up in tying knots to the lead fly and then to the trailer. To be honest, I almost ditched the whole set up but I'm glad I didn't. The distance didn't seem to bother the fish and I only experienced one tangle. I also came within inches of landing two fish at the same time. I was bringing in a smaller bluegill on the lead fly when a bass darted out of the shallows and missed a swipe at the trailer fly. If anything, I am determined to land two fish at the same time so this method will be used again in the future.
On the second deployment of the wooly tandem I used about 18 inches of line between the flies. I was following directions that I got from another web page and thought the greater distance would elicit better responses although I am not sure why. What I found out (rather quickly) was that this greater distance equated to more tangles and problems. I had to take out about 4 knots but none of them were horrible. I guess the added distance between the flies simply makes more line available for fouling.
In retrospect, proper casting technique is key. If the tandem rig did not land in a perfect line or had any bunching at all on the cast, there was a pretty good chance that a knot was going to occur. The longer tether was less forgiving and more problematic.
Moving forward, I want to try some different fly combinations. Maybe a John Deere jig as the lead fly and a small zonker behind it. I have also thought about working some sort of surface fly quickly and erratically with a baitfish imitation milling around below the surface. I figure that the surface fly could basically act as a glorified strike indicator in case I get bit. Finally, I am including some links from the previous post if you would like to get more and better information from those that know a lot more than me.
http://1source.basspro.com/index.php/component/k2/67-fly-fishing/2959-how-to-fly-fish-tandem-streamer-rigs
In terms of set up, I accidentally had about 12 inches of fluorocarbon between the flies on my first experiment. I underestimated how much line was going to be taken up in tying knots to the lead fly and then to the trailer. To be honest, I almost ditched the whole set up but I'm glad I didn't. The distance didn't seem to bother the fish and I only experienced one tangle. I also came within inches of landing two fish at the same time. I was bringing in a smaller bluegill on the lead fly when a bass darted out of the shallows and missed a swipe at the trailer fly. If anything, I am determined to land two fish at the same time so this method will be used again in the future.
On the second deployment of the wooly tandem I used about 18 inches of line between the flies. I was following directions that I got from another web page and thought the greater distance would elicit better responses although I am not sure why. What I found out (rather quickly) was that this greater distance equated to more tangles and problems. I had to take out about 4 knots but none of them were horrible. I guess the added distance between the flies simply makes more line available for fouling.
In retrospect, proper casting technique is key. If the tandem rig did not land in a perfect line or had any bunching at all on the cast, there was a pretty good chance that a knot was going to occur. The longer tether was less forgiving and more problematic.
Moving forward, I want to try some different fly combinations. Maybe a John Deere jig as the lead fly and a small zonker behind it. I have also thought about working some sort of surface fly quickly and erratically with a baitfish imitation milling around below the surface. I figure that the surface fly could basically act as a glorified strike indicator in case I get bit. Finally, I am including some links from the previous post if you would like to get more and better information from those that know a lot more than me.
http://1source.basspro.com/index.php/component/k2/67-fly-fishing/2959-how-to-fly-fish-tandem-streamer-rigs
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