Fly Tying: Brammer's Seasoned Geezer - Trout Streamer

I give a step by step fly tying instruction for tying a Butt Monkey-Trout Nugget hybrid pattern perfectly suited for skinny water trout fishing and low and clear conditions. The fly excels due to its sculpted 3d belly in combination with a specific hook and eye design to impart a belly wobble into a jig fly.
Material List:
Hook: Ahrex #4 Nordic Salt Classic Streamer Hook
Tail/Wing: 1/8" Rabbit Zonker
Belly: SF Blend
Gill Pack: Hedron Inc, Flashabou Minnow Body
Head: Hedron Inc, Strung Fuzzy Fiber
Eyes: Small Lead eyes
My website: streamersbygunnar.com/
Fly Tying, Fly Fishing, Articulated Streamer, Trout, Bass, Pike, Streamer, Gunnar Brammer, Brammer’s Custom Flies

[@crazydaviesfamily]

Dude, this is by far my favorite streamer. I've caught a 26" brown dead drifting a black version of this from a glowing indicator at night, countless rainbows, cutthroats and browns both stripping and euro nymphing, several smallies, and just last week tens of dozens of white bass! Dead drift, stripped, trolled from my kayak, it doesn't matter. A couple of interesting things I've noticed lately: -I've seen a lot of tyers on social media that are tying this thing and trying to get the head right. It used to all be posts about getting the Sex Dungeon head right! :D -I've noticed that more and more fly shops in Utah, Southeast Idaho and West Yellowstone are now carrying fuzzy fiber where they weren't in the past. Gunnar, thanks for doing what you do.

[@raymondtucker312]

Brilliant little pattern. Deceptively simple construction. Thank you for sharing the details and techniques. Well done.

[@lathandeyoung8886]

Just got my first 20 plus on a yellow version of your fly. I just love the look of this fly, and apparently so do big browns, Thanks from MICHIGAN.

[@Flyfisher2022]

Looks great, can’t wait to tie

[@phillipimsdahl3563]

Thanks again you are a great teacher and I am a seasoned geezer with a wobble.

[@jaykaneshige2201]

Brilliant again! Got my fuzzy fiber and will give it a go!

[@flyrodhiker8326]

Very nice, Kelly Gallup mentioned you in one of his videos. I’m glad he did, I’m definitely subbed, good job

[@stewoutdoors3020]

Watched a few of your videos this week, I had to subscribe.

[@ckorthanke2974]

Awesome little fly tied a test run. Worked great on the local smallies I will be tying more.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Awesome to hear man! Tight lines!

[@kodaifishing]

Dear Gunnar thank you so much for your tutorial i saw this video from IRAN it was great.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Glad to hear Ali! Cheers man!

[@jamesvatter5729]

Great looking streamer pattern. I'd have never thought to use it on a native brookie stream though.

[@davidcollins4207]

Great lookin streamer. The skinny water is the hardest part im having with streamers up on the north shore. Most of the streamers I have are too large for streams that size, but now ive got some ideas for the next trip I take up to the shore.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Sweet deal David! Let me know how she does man!

[@caryverhalen]

Wonderfully done, thank you 👍🐟

[@rouryglen]

Great patern gonna try it out for Irish trout.

[@graemebrown1191]

Loving the look of this✌

[@maineonthefly]

Awesome little streamer Gunnar! I have tied up a bunch of the Trout Nugget XL's so I will have to tie some of these up. You should sell those shirts on your page I would definitely buy one.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Right on man! I'll definitely look into getting some new Merch in the store. Glad you like the bug, its a solid little fish fooler!

[@hankvana2149]

Nice fly Gunnar! I appreciate the running commentary that you have in your videos - lots of info! I guess that compared to a 9-inch pike fly this 3 incher is a "micro" LOL! My "micro streamers" are 1" to 1 1/4" long tied as just-hatched fry imitations. Very sparse and simple tie on a #12 streamer hook - small bead-chain eyes, flat tinsel body, the wing consists couple of strands of flash and a dozen or so bucktail hairs. Silver/white and gold/yellow imitate the local forage minnow fry well. I like the belly-flash balancing you are talking about and will do some experimenting with that - I see minnows doing that "twitch-flash" all the time (guess that they are turning abruptly to grab a bit of food) so it probably is a good design feature. Cheers and tight lines! Hank

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Right on Hank, there is definitely a time and place, as well as a need for fry imitations! The belly wobble is pretty sweet. I like that it rolls up, but then settle back into its normal orientation, instead of spinning or flipping around, it just a gentle belly flash - feels very natural.

[@benbowman1283]

Great looking fly. A question about using the fuzzy fiber in the loop: When I spin the tool, a lot of fibers catch on themselves and wrap around the thread instead of sticking out. Is that what you are picking out with your comb? Hard to see. Thanks!

[@Freddo4J]

Write a book please - I'll buy it! Thanks for these videos!

[@edwardkline3552]

Hey Gunnar! Could you stack the fuzzy fiber instead of a dubbing loop or make a fuzzy brush ?

[@robbiesflytyingchannel]

Gunnar, do you ever leave the front hook on your articulated streamers?

[@caimrx7]

I fish for primarily red fish and trout so idk if this even applies. But being new at tying does the dubbing loop take the place of a brush? And what was the head material again?

[@roverrich]

Man you are pushing the limits of fly tying, great looking fly!

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@jewishcoupon]

Lmao!No he isn't!He is literally re-making patterns that have been around for a long time,just using synthetics.

[@marksleeper3752]

wow great fly Kudos

[@rouryglen]

Nice fly .what type of fly line would you use for these flies.

[@glennplatvoet7111]

Nice that's good I'll try it

[@hencape]

Gunnar, You're saying that those lead eyes won't turn the fly over and it will just wobble? That is the principle behind the Clouser Minnow. Floating hook up it will give it a jigging motion and have less chance of hanging up. I'm not disputing you, I just never have tried it. I'd love for it to wobble like a bass or trout plug.

[@tadejp]

One thought... what if you would make a dubbing brush out of strung fuzzy fiber and then use the brush for the forming of the head. I think that would be even quicker... Really awesome fly by the way, you sure are a true inspiration and I thank you for that!

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks man! You could most certainly apply the Strung Fuzzy Fiber by way of dubbing brush, I was simply hoping to show the alternative for those who don't have a dubbing brush device. For smaller flies, and when the target species not as toothy (i.e. not pike/musky) I like dubbing loops because they keep it simple and impromptu, but prefer dubbing brushes for larger fish such as pike because of the built in durability with the wire.

[@tadejp]

Thank you for the answer! Keep up the good work :) Big hello from slovenia

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Absolutely! Cheers man!

[@fisher-of-men1547]

Thanks for sharing this superb pattern !! I have seen numerous of your patterns on the internet & I really think this one is a very dynamic pattern for attracting Trout & Smallmouth Bass !! I just attended the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Warren MI today ( 03-11-2023) & I looked for the Flashabou Minnow Body & the Strung Fuzzy Fiber, but no luck located either of them at any of the booths that had tying materials. ( I'll just keep looking. ) I have a somewhat similar pattern & would love to send you a pic, just to get your opinion. ( how can I send you a few pics ? ) Also, do you ever make appearances at fly clubs ? I am a member of two fly tying clubs in my area & I know one of them would be interested in gathering some info for what's needed to arrange a visit. Thanks again for sharing your love for tying & fly fishing !! David M. Clunk Fisher-of-Men Fly Tying Ada, Michigan

[@wallyhynes444]

Do you sell the gill pack for the seasoned geezer?

[@jad814]

Is that Golden Brown (9021) strung fuzzy fiber I spy?

[@mountainclimber579]

Very cool young Feller (old geezer)

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

Hey Gunnar, have you tried using the "synthetic yak hair" for heads??? That is a long nylon fibre but I am wandering if it is too stiff??

[@user-gl6yd5vo6k]

Que hermosura

[@randycampbell3628]

Where can I buy the fuzzy fiber ?

[@donavondolio9015]

Can you use ultra hair for the dubbing of fly head?

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

Yet another great video. What would be an alternative 4 the fuzzy fiber?? Here in Iceland I have plenty of wool but I dont know if that is the "best" replacement.

[@Fuji-San-Lego]

look for synthetic cords like Bonnie Craft Cord or even Paracord. That you fray out and brush out as well. There are a lot of you tube videos showing how to harvest and use the fibers from different braided cords.

[@phoult37]

Any thoughts on how the downward eye/lead eyes design would work on an articulated pattern? Would that belly wobble transfer to the back half of the fly?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Most definitely Pat. The thing I noticed from fishing the pattern is that the down eye paired with lead eyes - causing the fly to try and invert when stripped - is only a consistent principle when the fish on a floating line with a jig/twitch presentation. So long as you employ that retrieve and line style, the fly will most definitely wobble, and apply that wobble to the back hook.

[@mountainclimber579]

I was thinking the same thing. BTW, don’t buy the links, make them. .022 malin wire + cheap pair looping pliers

[@modernflyfisher5091]

Great video Gunner. I like the intro. Good looking fly!

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thanks man, hopefully there will be plenty more to come this summer, and hopefully I'll have some more interesting footage with my wife behind the camera versus the tripod stuff.

[@fillmorecorpus9102]

Gunnar, first great stuff and videos, thanks. I'm want to start using lead eyes. However, similar to hook companies it seems that there is not standard for sizing. I have two questions about lead eyes. Are the eyes for this fly Hardline's? Also, how do you determine lead eye size to hook size?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Hey Fillmore - Yes, these are Hareline's Painted Lead Eyes. You can use any size eyes for any hook - the two are not meant to be related....just simply depends on how much weight you want. For Large Eyes, you may find you have a hard time attaching them to a thin wire hook because of the large space between the pupils so make sure to build up a large thread base first to help give the eyes some support.

[@fillmorecorpus9102]

Thank you. I appreciate your reply and as I mentioned before I certainly enjoy watching your videos. Thanks.@@Gunnar_Brammer

[@domibgoanguiano3875]

Nice ,do u sell them ?

[@carlogert3714]

great looking pattern. I like the colors in this specific fly you tied. is that a rusty brown or golden brown fuzzy fiber?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Golden Brown

[@fliegenfischer9226]

Hi Gunnar! can you recommend any sustitutes for the fuzzy fiber? Can´t find a shop selling those.

[@phoult37]

You can order directly from Hedron Inc. based in Stillwater, MN. They make the fuzzy fiber...only place I've ever found it.

[@ckorthanke2974]

I’m using Slinky Fibre it seems to work well.

[@emilypatterson2027]

At 8:46 it looks like a creature from Jim Henson’s muppets. As someone who grew up with the muppets I had to smile.

[@theflycrate]

Such a dope streamer. Your commentary is extremely funny too, man. More impressively, your knowledge on streamer design is unmatched. Quick question, do you have micro fly designs in size 8 to 12?

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thank you man! I really appreciate that! I don't currently have any design on anything less than a sz. 4...... although, as someone who fishes very very skinny brooktrout water, I am open to the idea and hope to have some smaller patterns out next spring.

[@theflycrate]

Just curious, why do you stick with larger flies in the fall? Do larger size 4+ flies tend to be more effective or is it a personal taste? Simply looking to learn from the best.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

There's a lot of reasons, some personal, some not. I just like big gapped hooks for starters, and most of my patterns use a specific hook for keel, or momentum where thicker wires and larger gaps become incorporated into the overall design. I think there is a line where a flies overall size moves from a territorial response/aggressive response - larger flies, to solely being a food based reaction - smaller flies. If you're hunting larger fish which are typically resting during the day, a larger fly is simply going to move more fish as it will engage a reaction when they may not be feeding or interested. Aside from all that, the size of fly is greatly related to the size of the watershed, and specific often to what you are targeting or imitating. As far as seasonality goes, I am far more likely to downsize in the spring, where a year class of perch may be 3-4", yet in the fall after the culmination of the growing season, those same year class of perch may have grown to 5" or even 6" depending on resources. Growth of a specific forage species occurs over the summer months for fish just like it does for trees... it makes sense to me to throw slightly larger flies in fall and smaller flies in spring relative to the forage you imitate. Most recently, i've moved to a location that has some very large watersheds containing mostly warm water species. These are the watersheds that i do all my testing and work out the kinks in my designs and they are full of greedy bass and pike who prefer 4-8" flies....so my average fly size is heavily impacted by this and using run sz. 1 to 4/0 hooks. During spring runoff is typically the only time of year i target brookies up tributaries to this larger watershed, and have had good success fishing 4" streamers on sz. 4 and 2 hooks thus far, but I definitely see the opportunity for downsizing, especially once the rivers skinny up with the summer heat. Trying to stay in the streamer realm and not the wet fly realm is a bit challenging in the smaller sizes, but I have hopes for some interesting stuff.

[@TheSilver9r]

Hi Gunnar, Which color and size flashabou minnow body were you using? Went to the Hedron site to order but it was not clear which was which as they just picture them altogether.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

"Medium Flashabou Minnow Body" Goldtone #6602

[@sirmegallot3276]

seasoned geezer just rhymes man that's why it sounds better!

[@bensilber2399]

Gunner your videos are very helpful keep up the great job .do u have a Facebook that I can follow too.

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Thank you Ben, appreciate it man! I have both a Business page - Brammer's Custom Flies, and a personal page. Feel free to follow or friend request man. The personal is updated more often, the business is....well, mostly business.

[@TheStreamUrchin1]

I think you had guys like me , Geezers, in mind when u named fly Bob Buckley Cleveland Oh

[@rodgerbrooks1]

Gunnar, what is your website address? I would like to talk to you about the brush maker. Rodger Brooks

[@marekbosak7508]

Great streamer, when I tie some I will give them a try on some my local polish waters! cheers!

[@user-qh4fv4mv8b]

👍🐠👈

[@draven3838]

Makes me think of the bug eyed caveman in the old cartoons

[@davidmorgan7586]

why do you waste so much thread at the tag end hell i could tie a fly with thread you waste so other then that really great looking flies

[@brycep7093]

Bro that’s no micro streamer I tie a little 1.5” inch articulated streamer and I’ve caught a 18.5” rainbow. regardless nice tie 👍