Connecting Articulated. Flies

[Jdecoudres]

When connecting the back hook with front hook what are you guys using? Can I just use heavy like 20ib test fishing line from like wall mart?

[Kayser]

I'm using 15lb mono from my baitcaster. Thread base, tie down mono 3/4 shank length, slip on 2 red glass beads, hook eye, then back through the beads, cinch to desired length, tie in (same length as other end), trim excess. Continue tying front fly.

[troutbum479]

I agree with Kayser, pretty much hit the nail on the head. I sometimes use 30 pound mono when I want a stiffer connection with less movement.

[flyrodman]

I am using some 30 lb Cajun Line Which I bought at walmart for around 5 bucks, and you get a whole lot of it too, I have also heard of using amnesia line also. I have not used mono though.

[jdmidwest]

Depending on the gap of the first fly to the back hook. Fine wire or mono with cinch knots do just fine.

What type of fly are you tying?

Heavy line like the 20lb test will restrict the movement of the back part of the fly.

[Hopper]

20lb backing, 3" piece looped thru eye of trailer hook, thread base on lead hook, super glue, tie down backing to lead hook, trim excess. I color the backing with a sharpie to match the color of the fly. Backing is extremly flexable giving the fly extra movement.

Gregg

[dave potts]

This struck my eye as just yesterday I got around to watching a Kelly Gallop TV program I taped sometime back and his segment on tying was this exact topic.

Kelly uses bead wire from Michaels. Don't recall the size but he said what was most important was to make sure to use a glass bead and make certain that when you bend the wire that the fold in the wire is positioned so that one wire is over the other and not side by side. That will prevent twisting of the trailer fly. He slides the wire through the bead and through the eye of the trailer hook and then back through the bead so that the two parts of the wire are setting sort of top and bottom and not side by side. Kind of hard to explain. He then holds the looped wire on top of the main hook shank and binds it down with his wrapping thread and also adds a drop of superglue.

Dave

[Leonard]

20lb backing, 3" piece looped thru eye of trailer hook, thread base on lead hook, super glue, tie down backing to lead hook, trim excess. I color the backing with a sharpie to match the color of the fly. Backing is extremly flexable giving the fly extra movement.

Gregg

I do this myself... with the backing...

when using mono, Ive noticed that once it creases it becomes weak in that area.. when a big fish is hooked on the trailer hook and starts to twist.. that mono sometimes break.

Ive used both ... I just prefer the backing method.

One another post talking about Kelly's flies..

I believe he uses what is called "American wire". Michaels do carry it but only some stores, I have asked the one here in Branson and they dont (at least didnt a year ago)

[Brian Wise]

Heavy line like the 20lb test will restrict the movement of the back part of the fly.

EXACTLY!

I use beading wire too. Got it from walmart and the texture on the outside (the very fine plastic) is rough so when you tie it in there is absolutely no slip anywhere...not even a possibility. It goes through the eye of the trailer hook really well as it is half the size of say 20 or 30 pound mono but double that break-strength and that allows a ton more movement for the back hook. I used thick mono for a long time, and still do for something that I don't 'need' to move a ton all the way down (like articulated double bunnies) but when I think of the true reason for articulating flies I think of the movement that back hook gives and wire is so much better.

My $.02

Brian

[dave potts]

EXACTLY!

I use beading wire too. Got it from walmart and the texture on the outside (the very fine plastic) is rough so when you tie it in there is absolutely no slip anywhere...not even a possibility. It goes through the eye of the trailer hook really well as it is half the size of say 20 or 30 pound mono but double that break-strength and that allows a ton more movement for the back hook. I used thick mono for a long time, and still do for something that I don't 'need' to move a ton all the way down (like articulated double bunnies) but when I think of the true reason for articulating flies I think of the movement that back hook gives and wire is so much better.

My $.02

Brian

Brian,

What size and brand of beading wire do you use? From your description, I assume it is plastic coated wire.

Dave