Tie Like a Pro, Ep. 2 Articulating Flies

This is just a scratch on the surface on articulating flies and is intended to get you started on building your own platforms with proper spacing, hook selection, and proportionality. Episode 2 of Tie Like a Pro is all about the "how to" of articulating streamers. In this episode we go over hooks, spacing and beads, wire placement and types of wire, creating a vertical wire loop, and proportionality based on your reference point- the hook shank. We also discuss how and why articulated flies came to be and what problem they solved in predator fly fishing.
My website - www.streamersbygunnar.com

[@donprater2754]

I know the video is three years old but it is very relevant! thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I'm 67 and still love too tie flies. Respectfully Don......

[@aricheath3670]

Gunnar that was the best articulation video I've seen. I'm looking forward to the next episode in this series. Thanks for the thorough explanation on how to get the body to tail lengths correct. Well done young man!

[@adamcox8555]

Gunnar, In the last couple weeks my interest in fly fishing and fly tying has peaked. I have watche a lot of your videos and went down to my local bass pro shop for a fly tying class that i stumbled upon while drooling throughout the store. Well i tied my first fly last night having never done it before. I gotta say i think it turned out good. The instructor actually told me that he thought i was "someone from corporate doing a blind audit". I gotta give credit where credit is due. I don't think I would have had the same results had I not marathoned your videos. Oh and my first fly rod is due to be delivered today. I cant wait to see what this skitter? Shrimp? will do at the beach. Thanks a ton for your videos. Not only do you have a new sub but im going to smash the like on everything i watch from you. Tight lines.

[@stovenpirates]

This series is great Gunnar ! Best explanation of articulating flies and the design principles that I have seen anywhere.

[@kayakflyfishingschool]

Gunnar, thanks for the tips. You have helped me find a better understanding of articulated flies. I even put the new found info to use when building some Musky flies.

[@benfranks6375]

Exceptional tutorial! Much, much help. Thank you kindly.

[@timwirt5042]

Great video! I really learned a lot. Thanks for taking the time to teach your methods and explaining why you do them

[@troutbum61]

A friend of mine told me to check out one of your videos a couple of weeks ago. I think I'm on 12 or 13.....Dude.....you're like a breathing Wikipedia. I'm twice your age, maybe a little more (no disrespect intended) and your understanding of the sport is very impressive. I find myself in awe of half of the things you say.

[@johnshand6176]

Great advice,had not thought about the fish taking the fly head first so will modify my front shank accordingly as I fish in single hook areas. Thanks from down-under in NZ.

[@Neonatas]

Love this, and also Love when you start to get in to the physics ! Watching with pleasure ! Thx for being totally awesome Gunnar !!!!

[@davidoconnell3213]

Very well done Gunnar! I am new to the art of tying and this is very helpful and well explained! Kudos!

[@barneyewing2664]

Good advice on the stinger hook. I'll have to try the stiffer wire,I usually use 0.018". Great video.

[@MarkyBoyle]

This is so helpful. Thank you for posting this. Incredibly educational

[@robertcornelius3514]

I am really impressed with your quality of work.

[@theodorerzepski8491]

Appreciate the history/evolution of articulated flies.

[@Nevrsummerman]

Excellent as usual Gunnar.

[@andreasherbeck9230]

really valuable explanations! Thanks alot! Very well explained. please continue ! Greetings from Germany

[@charlieboutin3341]

I know it’s an old video, but Thank you! You’re a craftsman of this trade. 👍👍

[@brandonparker4161]

This is such an excellent video Gunnar. Your one video basically improved the consistency of my tying dramatically. I’d love a video on streamer heads.... eyes, uv, spun deer, wool, fish skulls, etc. when to use what and how to proportion them effectively. Thanks!

[@CAT5752]

I second that. Good comment Brandon

[@midisax]

Great video! Answering many questions I had.

[@caseyburns6613]

Very well spoken , you are well versed in the subject. Good insight , great video .Thanks

[@edwardchavez5627]

Thank you Sir I appreciate you taking the time to teach these skills.

[@pacificphotoart]

Very informative and timely for me, thanks!

[@t1kka369]

Nice! A mass of interesting details. High five from Germany!

[@chrisvarey582]

Very informative, great tips

[@Boowulf]

Really well done! Regarding the length of the tail: I have made the experience, that to long tailong materials will result ina lot of short strikes in trout fishing. Whats your idea on this? Keep up the good work, thanks alot.

[@joedelmonte1724]

Thanks for the great instruction and explanation of theory.

[@m40_kid70]

Gunner could you do an episode about heads, uv/epoxy, flyman heads weighted and unweighted, dropjaw heads, body tubing heads, regarding the when and why to use them

[@bugbiteflytying]

Super helpful video. Going to make some corrections in my articulated flies. I saw how you started the wire on the lower 1/8 then the other part goes in the upper eighth but on the same side correct?

[@paulodonnell8094]

Really enjoyed that. Keep them coming...paul

[@drewbies6605]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@rodgerbrooks1]

Gunnar, if I were tying bass flies would I use the size wire that you talked about in Tye Like a Pro video? Always enjoy you videos. Rodger

[@barnman73]

Well done. Great information

[@tfisher5685]

Well done! Much respect me hearty. Subbed.

[@carlosmenechelli1447]

thanks for sharing knowledge. consult you leave the first hook to navigate better or you can cut it .... it will change the navigation of the fly ... thanks

[@davidcooper6141]

Thank you for posting. I was curious why you tie both ends of the articulating wire to the same side of the hook, will the fly not be more balanced if you ties the bottom to one side and the top to the other?

[@jessemoore4061]

Just sometimes when you tie it on the top the loop has a tendancy to move horizontal when you want it vertical. When I tie mine I try to tie one end of the wire in on my side and the other end of the wire to the opposite side to balance everything out

[@jessemoore4061]

Gunnar is it ok to have a glass bead head on the rear hook? Will it impede the performance? Thanks

[@robbiesflytyingchannel]

Sweet video!

[@richardherrington2852]

Gunnar: What model HMH vise are you using and where can I buy one? Thanks... U.S. Army, Ret. Texas

[@Gunnar_Brammer]

Hey Richard - I use an HMH Standard with their MAG Jaws and C-Clamp, truly awesome set up. You can order directly through HMH's Website, and attached is the link to the "Dealers" page of their site in case you want to see if there is a local shop who carries them in your area: www.hmhvises.com/dealers.php

[@richardherrington2852]

Hi Gunnar: Thank you so very much for replying with the information on you HMH vice. Can't begin to state how much I enjoy watching & learning from your videos. You are a true Master of this craft.

[@DerFliegenbinder]

Hi Gunnar, That is ok so, but i don´t use Wire anymore. I use a Atriclated Shank. It is better to tie, very durable and always a straight Eye. My Emglish is not so good to tell you why i make this. I will tag you at Instaram and make a Pic of my Rig... Best Regards from Germany Marco

[@bakerward510]

What fly was that in the thumbnail it was sweet

[@1357921549]

I think the concern about hook size isn't so much about the size of the diameter hole in a fish's lip but more about getting a 1/0 or 2/0 hook to the brain... This happened to me a couple times in Alaska this summer when I was fishing for Silvers but accidentally caught an 18" rainbow "by-catch" and the 2/0 hook goes through its entire face/head/eye essentially... That's why they tie "trout-sized" dolly llamas...

[@lyletaylor554]

Is 8mm bead to big?

[@chriscox1618]

wooooooooo

[@christophercook723]

Why ask what's going on guys without requiring an answer. Also what about Gal fly tyers?

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

Ah...I'd lose the bead altogether, use power pro instead of wire, clip the front hook off at the bend

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

Interesting but you are quite mistaken Sir, when you say "most predators are geared at going after the baitfish's head". That's simply not true at all.

[@milosbozilovic7843]

I think for smaller flies that are imitating minows and fries its irelevant, fish will eat the whole thing,it will atack from behind from the side etc. But for biger flies / preys they will go for the head, and we are talking about predator fish. If you see a big pike or musky atack some large wallaye or smaller pike, sometimes half of their size it will almost alwas be eaten from the head. For bait fish and minows and such i agree with you

[@phoult37]

I'd say first, but that's a pretty dumb trend