Swim Coach Articulated Streamer - Fly Tying Instructions by Charlie Craven

Fly Tying Recipe:
(Click the links below to purchase the materials from our store)
Hooks: #2 and #4 Daiichi 2461
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Beads: Gold 5mm and Olive 3D Bead (For Articulation)
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Eyes: 6mm gold Holographic Dome
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Weight: .020" lead wire
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Connection: Senyo’s Intruder Trailer Wire, thin
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Thread: Olive 8/0 Veevus
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Spreader: Gold Ice Dub
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Collar: Yellow and olive possum
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Hackle: Olive and chartreuse mallard flank feathers
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Body: Gold Ice Dub
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Wing: Light olive, sand, and yellow Ripple Ice Fiber
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Head: Light Olive Possum
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It was only when my wife and I went up to Cody to fish with our friend, Blake Clark of Wyoming Trout Guides, that this little gem saw the light of day again. We’ve fished with Clark for a few years now, and we have always had a blast with him. He’s a wonderful guy to spend the day with, knows his water like the back of his hand, and is an outstanding oarsman. On this particular day, he suggested a float on a less traveled piece of water that “may be fishing really well, or maybe we’re just going on a nice boat ride.” Sounded perfect to us.
We set out through an astonishingly beautiful valley, Lisa up front and I, nestled tightly in the back of Clark’s raft. We began with dry/dropper rigs and waylaid a fish here and there, but it was starting to look like it was gonna be more of a boat ride than a fishing trip, as the river was still just a bit high to be fishing well.
I decided to toss a few bigger bites from the back of the boat, and asked Clark to take a look in my box and see if there was anything that caught his eye. He quickly pulled out the then-unnamed Swim Coach. I tied the tan version onto a dropper behind a bigger Gonga, and we pushed off into the current.
I’d like to say I immediately started a streamer-fishing clinic, pulling fish and follows on every cast, but that would be an exaggeration. It was only on say, every third or fourth cast. Maybe fifth or sixth. Maybe. But yes, the streamers worked. While the big Gonga did its fair share, the smaller trailing fly closed the deal more often.
The day was highlighted by a nice brown that came from behind a midstream boulder to take a solid swipe at the Gonga in full sight of everyone in the boat. As is often the case when I have an audience, I blew the hook-set and ripped the flies out of the water, leaving the poor fish hanging up near the surface literally searching for his lost meal. Being a true fly-fishing professional, I immediately threw my rig right back in there and was rewarded with a crushing strike on the trailing fly, and in this instance, I actually got the hook-set into a beautiful and now angry brown trout. It was an aggressive and perfectly visible eat, and just the kind of thing that makes memories forever. I still smile when I think of it.
We spent the rest of the float teaching Lisa to throw streamers, her interest piqued by the aggressiveness of the strikes while we all discussed the world in general with a bit of flies and fishing banter thrown in for good measure.
Clark and I talked about the new fly, and he shared a few thoughts on what he looks for in a good streamer pattern. I filed all of this away and promised myself I would revisit this pattern once I got home.
When we returned to Colorado, I did indeed sit down and start playing with the pattern again and came up with the final version you see here.

[@justinmcquaide4862]

brilliant tying as always I definitely prefer the blue background to the black I find it easier to watch.

[@davidhughes2622]

HI from Rolla MO 🎣🤠. Wonderful looking fly. I'm impressed with your tactful and precision moves on this special fly. I've been tying for+65 years and only wish I could do as good as you. Good health for you and your's Dave Hughes 🎣🤠.

[@jonc.5310]

I love it. Perfect. Mine will look like a kid's drawing of yours.

[@Abcd12342600]

The best instructions on the patterns, something to tie and use!

[@RoryLynott]

Ace tie and design, love it!

[@jimfreeman3636]

Great tie. Lots of good stuff. Reminds me of tying Pike flies for Canada. First, a 1/5 of Burbon, then a BIG roll of lead wire, couple rolls of reinforcing wire, ton of flash ...... I don't think any two looked the same though ......

[@kevinjtoner]

More great, precise instruction…….Thank you!!! 👍🎣 (I especially like your streamers, they’re what I fish-we have no trout streams).

[@GHuber-xh5vv]

Great work and very helpful instructions. Thanks.

[@gregsage1605]

Thanks Charlie. I learned again!

[@paulandsallyh5824]

Thanks, great job. This from a picky fly tying instructor. Paul in Daytona FL.

[@hirkojs]

Mega Thx again for another method for us newbie’s to try & master. I believe you’re dubbing brush is stainless steel, do you have more than one type for different types of flies you’re tying?

[@mdaley3102]

Great looking fly. Does the wire really hold the tail hook on or does it tend to break off after use. I really enjoy your videos. Thank you

[@CharliesFlyBox]

I’ve only had the thin Senyo wire break after catching a pile of fish on the same fly. The larger sized wire has never broken for me

[@varmintassassins8924]

sweet

[@ruthcoates9587]

Being new to this, can you make a smaller fly without the articulation or do you need it for the fish? Thanks for your answer, and the videos.

[@N2theBlue1]

Not sure what you mean by need it for the fish. There are certainly single hook streamers like his dirty hippy. The articulation gives a longer fly and more exaggerated swimming motion than a single hook fly. Whether that makes a difference depends on your body of water and target species.

[@frankwestphal4525]

13:03 if you align the wire such that one end of the wire is on the bottom quarter of the hook and the other end is on the top quarter you shouldn’t have to twist the wire

[@helgeo.sommer584]

💪🤘