Views from the Vice – Articulated Streamers for Big Bass & Trout

I’ll be making my way up to the Adirondacks this summer for my annual trip north – and along the way I hope to hook into some monster Smallmouth Bass and Trout inside the park on the ol’ fly rod. This year, I’ve spent some extra time tying up articulated streamers in hopes of having less missed opportunities on short strikes.

I noticed at PBO for example, many nice sized brown trout went after my large streamers aggressively but I had more missed hook sets than I can count. I think adding the extra trailer hook behind an orange bead or two will not only increase my hookup potential, but give the fly a larger appearing size overall and perhaps entice the largest of Papa Bear’s inhabitants into a strike. We know from his videos that Wayne’s minnow rig is infallible – and I know from fishing with him that he likes to sling the biggest meat wherever he things the largest trout are holding. Makes sense to use that same strategy then with my streamers.

This year – I’ll be prepared.

On the lake front- I hope to pull my fly rod more this year and get away from the tried and true super fluke for trophy smallmouth. I’be caught so many bass on flukes, I’m ready for a new challenge. Last year the hottest color during my trip north was a smoke colored fluke around rock piles and weed beds. This year I have some nice iridescent black pearl articulated streamers that I tied up for that exact same pattern. It should do the trick.

Tight lines!