When we’re fishing larger water for larger fish at Chile West, one of our favorite techniques is bangin’ the banks – covering lots of water in rapid-fire fashion with a streamer.
Nobody knows our fishing in Southern Chile better than Chris Price, our manager at Chile West. Chris lives with his family in Coyhaique and has been fishing in Chile since the Clinton administration.
Here’s the rig that Chris reaches for when it’s time to make that streamer swim.
The Summary
Cabela’s FT 907 2 piece fly rod. “I like a fast action 7 to 8 weight suited for casting a heavy line and weighted fly.”
Cabela’s Drake LA III reel.
Rio Streamer DC 250 grain 24 ft sinktip.
The Detail
100 yards Cortland Micron backing, tied to the spool with an arbor knot.
Rio Streamer DC 250 grain 24 ft sink tip, tied to the backing with a nail knot.
Butt section of 12 inches of 30 pound Izorline, tied on the fly line with a nail knot, finished with a perfection loop.
4 foot leader of 12 pound Izorline, finished with a spider hitch, to connect loop to loop to the butt section.
“The fly is usually ‘dink proof’, meaning prejudiced against small fish. I like something in rabbit, weighted and articulated.”
The Commentary
“This fly rod and line rig is designed to cast big flies and a heavy sink tip. We’re not fishing here – this is better described as hunting. We’re searching out every nook, cranny and deep bucket that might be home to the ‘big one’.
While shorter sink tips will get down, they quickly rise as the line is stripped. The idea with this rig is to get the fly down deep, quickly and keep it down during the strip. You must be aware of the depth that you’re casting into and let the fly soak accordingly. This line sinks fast and so you must get on the strip fairly fast to avoid hanging up, but hey, big browns like a chase. Whether you’re in river or a lake, this rig will produce.”
Thanks for the pointers. One question: the olive streamer (in your pic of the three flies held in an open hand) do you have another picture of it? Could you tell me what the materials are and how to tie it? Thanks
Will
Will,
That fly is special! I won’t give you all the details but you should be able to figure out how to tye it.
Its an articulated double bunny.
Olive on top, tan on bottom, black rabbit collar (one turn)
Burnt orange hackle
Rubber legs
Lead eyes
Orange angora head
Good luck!
Hey Chris, nice bunnies! What are those little tails made from on the Black/white and black/black flies, and how did you get that little kink in black/black streamer?
Ross,
Those little tails are pretty sick looking huh?
I made the tail out of this leather stuff a guy gave me about 8 years ago. I can’t even remember what it was called. The guy printed patterns on leather sheets. I asked him for some and he gave me a little piece that he had. I’m about out!
So the stuff is like a shammy. Then you cut out little twister tails and tie em into your fly! Definitely not a purist fly, but hey, trust me, it works.
The kink you speak of is just how the tail dried after it was fished.
FYI… the black streamer caught the really big brown/atlantic in controversy in another blog post.