Streamer size during the early season...

[mattmates]

When you guys get out on the river and start throwning streamers, how big are they? I bought a couple of Articulated Zoo Cougars from Bob Linseman (Broke Dick Cougars as he calls them) at the expo and thought..."This thing looks like a freaking muskrat."

I have read the book that he and Kelly Galloup wrote, a couple of times and haven't been able to actually put the techniques to use how I would like to. This year I have a boat and will get myself into some good water and I can't wait. We actually booked a trip with Bob for the 19th of May. It will be on the tail end of the streamer bite on the Au Sable, but there should be some pretty good stuff going on in the afternoon.

The first time that I was actually able to employ this technique, I was with a guy from the Troutsman and another accomplished angler, and it was pretty awesome. We turned BIG fish and had a riot, I say we...I meant they. Nonetheless, I was mighty intrigued by the method and excited to use it.

Just curious how many other guys are out there throwing streamers in the 3"-7" range?

[Vito]

3-7 inch streamers are pretty common. It also depends on the size of water and the size of the fish you are after. I've caught large browns on the au sable before with an 8-10 inch rainbow in their mouth.

[speyday]

Without a doubt, a lot of anglers dont give enough credit to the predatory nature of stream fish. As long as that streamer has a good, wavy material in it, I'm confident fish will take.

While fishing for kings with a #7 spinner in mid august (thats right, a number seven), I landed my two best PM browns right at dusk.....24 and 22 inches......TAPED. Gawd, I wish I had my camera. These were stream fish; not lake runs.
that night was the beginning of my conversion.

Later, in November, a good friend was spey fishing with ESL's that were ungodly big..they looked like he took a sock an lashed it two a hook. The result? Three fish on in less than an hour; two of them steelies in crystal clear water; again.........right at dusk.

CARNIVORES!!!!!!!

[esox master]

I fish with streamers that size on a regular basis but not for trout. (gotta love pike :D :D :D ). Besides the point I was talking with a bass bug tier whom ties dalhberg divers designed for trout that were at least 6 inches and claims to turn many large browns on the ausable with them.

[flyrod4steelhead]

Only been Streamer fishing for a year or so, si i'm still learning different retreivel methods. I throw them big gaudy bug's all the time on the PM, and have turned alot of big fish, managed to hook and land a few as well.

If I am not throwing big streamers, I am throwing #5 and #7 rapala's

[mattmates]

I'm not questioning the fact that they work...I know that. :D Just curious how many other anglers are on the same program.

Matt...

[mcflyfisher]

It is pretty typical for me to be throwing big streamers while my wife rows, and works on her tan. Those big flys do turn some real logs, but they also wear out my arm after a few hours. Try it on the MO with high and/or Dirty water, and you will be a believer. I think I need to tie some more uglies now that I think about it.

[flyrod4steelhead]

Oh, I knew what you were asking, no biggie. So yeah, I throw the 3" - 7" streamers.

Those big flys do turn some real logs, but they also wear out my arm after a few hours.

You betcha :)