Usually the setup is to place a beefy streamer up front as the lead fly and then follow it up with a small black trailer. The go-to trailer fly used to be a simple wooly bugger, and it would often do the trick. But the more I fished that setup, the more I would get frustrated with lost fish. Often they would stick, but only for a moment. I started thinking about the advantages of articulated streamers and how the extra hook can play to the anglers favor. After a little tinkering, this pattern was born. It is stupid simple, and it could even be called a glorified wooly bugger. Either way, it works.
The Hotwire Sidekick Streamer
Ingredients:
Hook: Dai Riki #730, Size 8, 2xLong Shank
Cone Head: Dan Bailey, Gold, Small (tungsten is a great option if you are fishing this solo and want a deeper presentation)
Rabbit Strip: Black
Ultra Wire: Medium Chartreuse (hotwire)
Polar UV Chenille: Black
AZ Simi Seal Dubbing: Peacock
20lb Mono or Beadalon for articulation connection
There are actually two ways I like to tie this pattern. For a bit less flashy look here are the alternative materials. These replace the "Polar UV Chenille: Black"
Regular Chenille: Dark Olive/Black
Hackle Feather: Black Schlappen
(Simply tie in the Schlappen and the regular chenille on the step the Polar UV Chenille is tied in. Wrap the chenille forward first, then the Schlappen feather, and then counter-wrap forward with the hotwire.)
The Polar UV Chenille does not retain water and rides higher on the retrieve. It is great when fishing this pattern as a trailer, because it does not ride lower than your lead fly. I prefer the less flashy pattern when I use this fly by itself, unless I am fishing it at night. In the dark I also prefer the Polar UV Chenille pattern because of how high it rides. There is another pattern I call "Night Rider" that incorporates the Polar Chenille for that same reason and is used for night fishing. That tutorial is still in the works.
Some of the resulting goods.
