Bi-Plane Streamers

Been doing some reading lately on Bi-Plane Streamers and they sound interesting. Has anyone here been tying them and using them? How productive are they? Are they any better with the wing tied flat?

I did tie up one so far that is called the Black Ghost Bi-Plane. There is one white hackle tied at the bottom and 3 tied flat across the top. Tied this way is suppose to make them more 3-D much like some flies tied "in the round".

I hope that Hans jumps in here and lets me know where I need to improve on the tying or maybe tie one up with a SBS so that I can see where I am making mistakes.

Well, here is what I tied:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps13daf0d6.jpg

That looks pretty nice especially when you click on the picture and blow it up some.. Nice job. I always liked that pattern. It's one of the old standards and will catch fish for sure. I wish I could answer you question.

Then there's the Nine-Three:

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...three-side.jpg

I have a hard time taming the flat feathers, though:

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...e-three-jc.jpg

They never seem to want to stay on top of each other.

redietz,

Tell me about it!! LOL I just finished one that the only name was Bi Plane and it had 6 white feathers flat with one brown feather flat on top of the white ones. I did prepare the feathers first and put a drop of super glue on the stems to hold them in place, but, they still did not want to cooperate very well. I am looking forward to fishing them soon to see what the fish think of them. None of the patterns I saw had eyes, but, I just had to put eyes on mine. The Nine-Three will probably be my next tie. I am thinking about using chartreuse feathers in place of the green. I guess I am hoping the smallmouth will fall for them using chartreuse.

I really liked your flies. Thanks for posting them.

Nice. Why are they called bi-plane?

If you want to get the wings to sit low there are two things. Make sure the foundation is high enough. Also crush the stem of the feather at the tie in point. The best tool for this is a pair of pliers with smooth jaws, the kind jewellers use.
Cheers,
C.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lastchance

Nice. Why are they called bi-plane?

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Over at The Streamer List, a 1948 article from Chief Needahbeh that was posted on this topic there a while ago gave this reason. "This term is used in it's literal and geometrical sense - i.e.- the hook appearing in one plane and the fly in another, at right angles to it; thus two planes".

Regards,
Mark

Warren;

I tie a lot of these streamers, but I tie them with tandem hooks. We use them mostly for trolling salmon, rainbows, and browns. I would suggest putting a black dot on that eye. Eyes seem to trigger strikes around here. Also try red eyes with a black dot. They work up here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lastchance

Nice. Why are they called bi-plane?

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It may not be obvious from the pictures, but some of the feathers lie flat, making somewhat of a "tee" (upside down) when viewed from the end. Here's the Nine-three when view from above:

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...-three-top.jpg

The flat sides of the green and black feathers are in different planes, hence the "biplanar".

Nice one Warren,

Alan already commented on how to keep the wing lying flat. I would add that I would shorten the wing some, as with this length wing there will be a tendency to get wrapped into the bend of the hook.

In a separate thread I posted a streamer in this style.

Cheers,
Hans W

I really appreciate your input, Hans. Thanks

MSD53X- Thanks for the input on dotting the eyes. They have been taken care of.