The major deterrent associated with tandem flies, from a tying point of view, stems mostly from the fact that they can be very time-consuming productions. In my search for a satisfactory, fast method of manufacturing a tandem hook setup for commercial application, I came across numerous techniques, none of which was very appealing. To simplify the tandem-fly chassis for tying Articulated Steelhead Bunny Leeches in general, and the stinger (rear hook) connection in particular, I joined a stinger to a lead hook in a way that is unique, simple, versatile and adaptable. The beauty of this method is that the coupling of the stinger hook to the connecting material requires no tools (usually), no knots, no thread and no glue. All that is needed is a hook (either up-eye or down-eye) and about 12 inches of connection material.

I refined the technique of joining the stinger hook and material via furling on my own to suit my own needs, completely oblivious as to its previous existence. As it turns out, this method had already been developed about 30 years ago, just not publicized that I was able to find in my search. As the saying goes, “There’s really nothing new, it’s just new to you”. The furling technique is a time saver that makes the tying of these articulated patterns faster and much less cumbersome.

To begin construction, take 12 inches of 20 pound-test Amnesia, a Daiichi 2553 octopus hook and double the mono so it is shaped like a “U”. If you are right-handed, hold the hook between your thumb and index finger of your left hand as if it were mounted in your vise. Thread the tag-ends down through the hook-eye so there is about a loop dangling over the shank of the hook. Now pull the shank of the hook through the loop then simultaneously pull both tag ends of the backing to snug the loop up against the eye of the hook. Basically what has just occurred is that a loop to loop connection (larkshead knot) has been made with the hook-eye and the loop of Amnesia.

If the process ended at that point the stinger would “float” on the loop, which, in my opinion, would be unacceptable. To “lock” the stinger in place, take the tag ends, one each pinched between your thumb and index finger of each hand, and pull them directly apart from one another. With a straight line between your hands and the hook approximately in the middle, twist each tag end in opposite directions while keeping the Amnesia material taut. When the Amnesia has become sufficiently twisted the act of bringing your hands together will cause a furling of the material. This furling will lock the stinger hook in place on the loop. This is what I have come to refer to as a “J-Rig”. Normally I use my Nor-Vise to facilitate the construction as it twists the material quickly and the ensuing furl is very tight but furling “manually” works well if a really tight furl is not needed.

At this point, the completed J-Rig (stinger and furled connection) is ready to be tied onto the lead hook. Unlike traditional stinger assemblies, no tools, no glue, no knots and no thread were used to construct the J-Rig. When the furled connection material is lashed to the lead shank with tying thread in such a manner that the J-Rig extends off the back (bend), a tandem chassis has been completed. To mass produce these in advance of tying and prevent the J-Rig from unraveling, simply tie a tight, overhand knot in the furled connection material a few inches up from the stinger hook. This pre-manufacturing of numerous J-Rig setups speeds up the process of tying a complete tandem fly at a later time.

The completed J-Rig attached to a size 1 Mustad 36890 has become the chassis for the Articulated Steelhead Bunny Leech. With the completed chassis ready, add a three inch piece of Hareline rabbit strip and a few pieces of Krystal Flash at the bend of the lead hook for the tail. Then, tie in a piece of Hareline crosscut rabbit, advance the thread to the hook-eye and wrap the crosscut material to form the body. Tie off, trim, whip-finish and cement and the completed Articulated Steelhead Bunny Leech is ready to fish.

Although the exact origin of the furling technique is dubious, the furled-stinger method greatly reduces the time investment previously requisite of tandem-tied flies. Many thanks to Bill Chase of Angler Sport Group/Daiichi, Norm Norlander of The Norlander Company (Nor-Vise), Paul Black of Gudebrod, Don Ordes of Fantasy Fly Company, Ron McKusick of Featherside Flies, Christopher Armour, Dean Endress, Bob Hull and Lou Hurlbut for their input and assistance during the development, or redevelopment as it is, of the furling technique.

The Articulated Steelhead Bunny Leech

• Lead hook: Mustad 36890, size 1 (clip the bend off after fly is completed)
• Connection material: red Amnesia, 20#, furled to lock stinger in place
• Hook: Daiichi 2553, size 2 or 4
• Thread: Gudebrod 3/0, black (BCS 118)
• Tail: Hareline straight-cut rabbit strip in purple (7) or black (6) with 2 or 3 pieces of red Krystal Flash on each side.
• Body: Hareline cross-cut rabbit strip in purple (7) or black (6), same color as tail

Step 1: Cut a piece of 20# Amnesia to length (about 12 inches) and thread them down through the eye of the Daiichi octopus hook. Pull the hook up through the loop and snug the Amnesia tight against the hook-eye and shank.

Step 2: While holding a tag end of the Amnesia in each hand, twist them in opposite directions to facilitate the furling. After sufficiently twisting the material (about 20 revolutions) bring your hands together while firmly grasping the Amnesia.. Tie an overhand knot in the furled material to prevent the completed J-Rig from unraveling.

Step 3: Place the lead hook (Mustad) in a vise and wrap a base coat of thread. Tie on the J-Rig so the stinger hook extends off the lead hook at the desired distance; in the case of this fly, about 1.75 inches. Completely cover the connection material, binding it down securely along the entire hook-shank.

Step 4: Double the furled Amnesia over upon itself and bind this down securely then apply a CA glue (Super Glue) or cement to the wraps.

Step 5: At the bend of the lead hook, tie in a 3-inch piece of Hareline straight-cut rabbit strip then add 2 or 3 pieces of red Krystal Flash to each side of the fly.

Step 6: Tie in a piece of Hareline cross-cut rabbit strip of the same color so the hair lays back, along the shank when wrapped. Wrap the material to the front of the hook, tie off and trim the excess material. Form a neat head, whip finish and cement.

Other patterns: The Articulated Skunk

• Lead hook: Mustad 36890, size 1 (clip the bend off after fly is completed)
• Connection material: chartreuse Amnesia, 20#, furled to lock stinger in place
• Hook: Daiichi 2551, size 2
• Thread: Gudebrod 3/0, black (BCS 118)
• Tail: Hareline straight-cut rabbit strip in black (6) with 2 or 3 pieces of fl. chartreuse Krystal Flash on each side.
• Body: Hareline cross-cut rabbit strip in black (6), same as tail
• Wing: Polar bear or substitute

Other patterns: The Articulated Polar Shrimp

• Lead hook: Mustad 36890, size 1 (clip the bend off after fly is completed)
• Connection material: red Amnesia, 20#, furled to lock stinger in place
• Hook: Daiichi 2553, size 2
• Thread: Gudebrod 3/0, black (BCS 118)
• Tail: Hareline straight-cut rabbit strip in fl. orange (17) with 2 or 3 pieces of red Krystal Flash on each side.
• Body: Hareline cross-cut rabbit strip in fl. orange (17), same as tail
• Wing: Polar bear or substitute

Other patterns: The Articulated Peril

• Lead hook: Mustad 36890, size 1 (clip the bend off after fly is completed)
• Connection material: red Amnesia, 20#, furled to lock stinger in place
• Hook: Daiichi 2553, size 2
• Thread: Gudebrod 3/0, black (BCS 118)
• Tail: Hareline straight-cut rabbit strip in purple (7) with 2 or 3 pieces of red Krystal Flash on each side.
• Body: Hareline cross-cut rabbit strip in purple (7)
• Wing: Squirrel tail

Don Johnson is an environmental chemist by profession who is also contract fly tier for Pacific Fly Group and enjoys appointments to the following manufacturer’s pro-staffs: The Norlander Company (Nor-Vise), Daiichi/Angler Sport Group, Gudebrod Inc., Ross Reels and St. Croix Rod Company.

Copyright 2003
Don Johnson

 

Article	096
Created	9-20-2005
Modified	2-1-2006
Author	Don Johnson
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