Being primarily a small stream dry fly fisherman, I’ve historically been challenged when it comes to fly fishing big water for big fish. Along the way, however, I’ve come across a good streamer, resembling a brown trout to my eye, that I’ve adapted for use on larger streams. The fly features eyes, mother of pearl body, and yellowish brown bucktail (though I recommend better synthetic alternatives - Unique Hair and Super Hair, available at fine fly tying retailers) and golden flashabou wing.
The streamer pictured above is the original fly I received 2nd hand from someone out West. The basic colors can be tweaked to represent other fish, such as a rainbow trout.
I used the brown trout streamer only a time or two, and the cannibalistic brown trout for which I was fishing showed particular interest. Therefore, I’ve retired the original fly, which is now only used as a reference, and I’ve begun tying my own ugly, yet effective, version, for use on big water for big brown trout.
First, I tied the fly in a larger size – bigger flies for bigger trout. Next, I added weight, both tied along the length of the hook’s shank, and the eyes themselves are the weighted variety. I tie the eyes (which are oversized, by accident) underneath the hook, so that they are not balanced by the hook’s bend; otherwise, the fly can come in sideways. Also, I used a purer yellow color of bucktail/synthetic winging material. However, purists be warned: the fly now fishes like a jig, with the heavy eyes causing the fly to sink rapidly when the line is slackened. The big brown trout (and smallmouth bass) don’t seem to mind the ugly look of the fly – they hit it with gusto. So, there you have it, the TroutProStore.com Big Brown Trout Streamer.