Dougies Articulated Pike Streamer

Pike fly supremo and and all round fly angler, Dougie Loughridge, shared this BIG Pike Streamer pattern and shows us how to tie one in this neat step-by-step! This fly uses the Fish Skull Articulated Shanks from Flymen and you can find the full range of Flymen products on our website HERE!

Materials (available from Glasgow Angling Centre)

Hook: Partridge Universal Predator X 2/0
Thread: UTC 140 fluo white
Tail: Veniards White Bucktail, white Icelandic Sheep, Metz Magnum Cream saddle hackles
Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
Rear body: Veniards Tri-lobal Holographic medium silver, Veniards white Schlappen, Chartreuse and White Marabou.
Front body section: Fish Skull Articulated shank 35mm
Eyes: Funky Lightweight Dumbells 10mm in 'rockfish' colour.
Head: Veniards Pike Brush, red.
Glue: Zap a Gap
UV Resin: Bug-Bond.

Step 1

Tie in a bunch of white Bucktail after removing any underfur and short fibres. Coat with Bug-Bond to stiffen (helps prevent fouling). Next tie in white icelandic sheep (again, remember to remove underfur) taking care to distribute around the shank. Add two strands of pearl Krystal flash each side and top off with 2 cream white saddle hackles.

Step 2

Catch in a white Schlappen feather by the tip followed by the Trilobal Yarn. Wind the Trilobal forward in touching turns, stroking fibers back as you progress, then palmer the Schlappen feather forward and tie down (you can overwrap this with wire for extra security if you wish).

Step 3

Cut a generous clump of white Bucktail and reverse tie in. Touch the thread wraps with glue before pushing back (a cut section of biro pen is good for this).

Step 4

In front of the Bucktail, catch in a white Marabou feather by the tip and wind forward, following this with a chartreuse green. Again, you can wind some fine silver wire through this if you want added protection from the Pikes teeth. Form a small, neat head and coat with Bug-Bond.

Step 5

Taking your Fish Skull 35mm Articulated Shank, slip the rear section of the fly on before securing back in the vise.

Step 6

Close the shank eye up tightly with your thread, coating in Zap a Gap. At this point tie in a generous clump of white Marabou, covering the articulation point. Tie in 2 reverse ties of white Bucktail. Tie in a grizzle hackle on each side of the fly, it should go back about 2/3 length of the fly. Tie in a few more strands of Krystal Flash and 2 cream white saddle hackles at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Ensure you coat the tie in points with Zap a Gap or Bug-Bond.

Step 7

Catch in another white marabou feather by the tip then tie in the dumbell eyes with fig8 wraps and glue. Wind the marabou through the eyes and catch in.

Step 8

Tie in a small clump of chartreuse Marabou on the underside then catch in the red Pike Brush.

Step 9

Wind the Pike Brush through the eyes, stroking back the fibres and trying not to trap too much down. Tie in securely and glue. Using a piece of velco, pick the Pike Brush out to form a nice head. Whip finish the thread, colour it with a red marker and finish with Bug-Bond.

The finished Articulated Pike Streamer.

Fish the completed fly on at least a #9 weight rod, with a proper Pike taper line such as the Guideline Pike lines and use a balanced leader set up tipped with a section of wire (like Surflon Micro) to prevent bite offs! Try a vareity of retrieves from almost static to long steady strips and be prepared for takes right under the rod tip! Always carry forceps, an unhooking mat and of course your camera! Tight lines!