Articulated Streamer Question

[Jassid]

For those who tie and fish articulated streamers, what has been your experience as far as the trailer hook getting lodged deep in the trout's throat? The reason I ask is it looks like there is a decent chance for the fish to attack the big fly and get the trailer "in deep" if you get my drift.

Any thoughts on fishing just the shank of the trailer and counting on the front hook to do the job?

[bevans]

I have a few articulated flies in my box but have to admit that I never have given them a serious try. When choosing a streamer, I always end up with what I have the most confidence in, which is an olive or black woolly bugger. I got interested in the articulated flies after listening to a great podcast on "The Itinerant Angler"--"Predatory Trout with Kelly Galloup." It's a great listen if you're interested. http://www.itinerantangler.com/podcasts ... _s_21.html

I do have some experience with a trailing hook on big spinners for northern pike (on a lake in Michigan with lots of big ones). It seemed like a good idea to trail some plastic off the trailing hook to coax the monster-pike into a strike. While effective, I've stopped using them because of the problem you describe. That trailer always gets into the gills. Pike have so many bones I'm not big into eating them, so I'd rather not kill them for sport.

[JeffK]

I haven't had deep hooking problems with articulated flies, but I only use them now and then. Up on the Salmon R you are only allowed a single hook in the fly zones so most people just snip the front hook off and it seems to work OK.

[Mr.Meniscus]

Not an issue as the bigger fish tend to go for the head of the fly or take the fly head first.

Jeff if I knew you didnt fish the articulated streamers that much I would have given you less

[JeffK]

It's always good to have those just in case. I caught a 5 lbs largemouth on one last month when they weren't coming up for deer hair bugs. I know its not a trout, but I always take them with me if a large predator shows up. BTW, they also attract large channel cats.

[stonefly]

I have used them on lakes mostly with out any problems, on larger water like the South Branch of the Snake in Idaho, I had no problems, I always tie them with the trailing hook up and barb-less, took a few large Browns on the trailer no problems getting the hook out..

[Jassid]

Thanks to all for their input! I genuinely appreciate it!