streamer book

OK, so I'm going to fish streamers more - I really am. I'm tired of staring at an indicator, and dry flies are only good at certain times. I don't want to chuck those things that break your arm to get them out there, I want to fling those bucktail thingamajigs that don't look too complicated to tie, and I think I ought to have one of Kelly Galloup's books to get started - doesn't he advocate unweighted streamers? So do I have to buy all of them to figure this unweighted streamer thing? Or can you recommend some "light" winter reading?

Take a look at Thunder Creek Flies, Tying and Fishing the Classic Baitfish Imitations by Keith Fulsher with David Klausmeyer. It is an interesting variation on buck tail streamers and gives you an opportunity to work with epoxy. They are actually very easy to tie. I did get my copy of the book at the local Half Price Books store.

I am a 45+ year streamer tyer and was always a streamer fisherman. If you want a book that will give you fishing techniques and proven streamers, I suggest the Classic "Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing" and also "Streamers & Bucktails" both by Joseph D. Bates Jr. ( available on Amazon.com used $30 range ). Also try your local Library, if they don't have it, they can most likely borrow it for you.

I second "Streamers and Bucktails" by Joe Bates.Have had mine for about 30 years and its still a good read.

If you are not in a hurry, Bates books show up from time to time on e-bay at good prices.

Galloup doesn't weiight flies because he fishes sinking line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70j92LJjhNE

Fly tying Galloup's streamer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWq95R0vv24

Quick search and hours of information:http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=streamer+fly&aq=f

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=streamer+fishing+techniques&a q=1&oq=streamer+fishing

Thanks for the suggestions - will go for Bates book and peruse Youtube - would never have thought of youtube.

There are plenty of bucktail streamers or feather wing streamers (Matukas are cool) in the tying books and in images online. There are probably lots in the archives here at FAOL. They just have to look like a minnow after all. Using synthetics makes them even lighter since that material doesn't absorb water ("I want to fling those bucktail thingamajigs that don't look too complicated to tie"). Synthetics are easier to fling.
I saw Kelly at two talks at the Michigan Fly Show last March and so suggest you don't need to follow his example. He prefers to cast from a drift boat toward the bank (where there is cover) with large flies that splat upon landing, to catch big fish. So his flies - while being excellent for bass - are rather complicated and clunky for 'normal' trout.

Thanks Greg.

Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing by Dr. Joseph Bates is sort of like the Bible on Streamers and Bucktails. Every fly tyer should (and probably does, at least us older ones) have a copy in their bookcase.

My copy was my dads. It is the 1966 First Edition.

It must really be a classic.

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Originally Posted by Gigmaster

Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing by Dr. Joseph Bates is sort of like the Bible on Streamers and Bucktails. Every fly tyer should (and probably does, at least us older ones) have a copy in their bookcase.

My copy was my dads. It is the 1966 First Edition.

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Yup! Excellent and timeless book.
The only thing about almost all of the newer books is that, 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'.
If there are any more effective streamer flies (there are some exceptions) it's only because: a)someone is pushing something; b)someone was talked into using something w/o knowing what's already out there; someone has more faith in something they've created; or some other reason. Bottom line is that the streamers in this book cover almost all patterns needed.

Allan

I was able to find a copy of Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing on Amazon for $10. It was listed as "acceptable", by which I hope the dog didn't chew too much of it or do anything else to it. There were others in the $20 category listed as "good". I'm not really so cheap as I want to find out what "acceptable" is...

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Originally Posted by billhouk

I was able to find a copy of Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing on Amazon for $10. It was listed as "acceptable", by which I hope the dog didn't chew too much of it or do anything else to it. There were others in the $20 category listed as "good". I'm not really so cheap as I want to find out what "acceptable" is...

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For anyone interested in this book, you want to look for the 1995 edition. All of the streamer color plates were re-photographed by Michael Radencich and are far better than what was in the older editions. You can still get this one at rock bottom prices if your not in a rush and shop around.

Regards,
Mark

herefishy,

I would have to say that my favorite type of flies are streamers! I have even fished them with a spinning rod and fly bubble for years. I started tying streamers from the get-go, right along with ants and wet flies. Col. Bates book on streamers is timeless. Along with the patterns, he offers the histories. I reference his book frequently and even got a copy of the newer version. K. Fulshers Thunder Creek series are very effective. If you are looking for more classics, check out Carrie G. Stevens - Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies. I believe that Carrie was the original inventor of the "Thunder Creek" style of tying! Don't think she ever got full credit for it though!!
Anyway, welcome to the world of streamer tying. There is/was a lot of stuff on streamers in the fly tying section of FAOL - Norman contributed a mountain of streamer patterns and photos to that section! Have fun!!

Best regards, Streamer Dave.

Even though it is geared more towards saltwater "A Perfect Fish" by Ken Abrames is a good read on streamer design and construct.