Wednesday, January 20, 2021

How to tie the chickabou streamer.....

A post that I did earlier on a chickabou streamer generated a lot of interest both nationally and internationally. Many of you asked how about showing us how to tie it, so here it is. By the way I just want to say that this fly is not something I created but it's a fly based on a Jack Gartside pattern called a soft hackle streamer. The thread I use is Uni 6/0 Camel, but you can use any brand you like. The Hook is a Firehole 718 #12.., feel free to use the hook of your choice.
 

 

Start the thread behind the eye and wrap rearward to about mid shank.
 

Select 3 chickabou feathers. If possible choose 3 different sizes. Is this step critical well maybe not but it makes a nicer profile in the finished fly.


Wrap the feathers forward. Each feather should take about 4 wraps. Keep the wraps close and tie off. Take the same steps with each feather tying them in front of the last one. These father can become flightly but by stroking them rearward and a little moisture they will conform.




You can see the fly taking shape. The process is not difficult and you should be able to tie this in no time.

The complete fly. Now comes the collar
Select a soft hackle feather. Again it's your choice. I like a darker one for it adds contrast.
Wrap your collar, 2 turns is adequate.
Whip finish and the fly is ready to fish. I hope this helps, but if you have questions I'll be happy to answer them.


21 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. mike
      Thanks
      Are you going to tie a couple?

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    2. Absolutely. I've got a pile of Grouse philoplume and chickabou that will work wonderfully for those!

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  2. Brk Trt, just a couple things. 1st of all great fly/streamer. I actually watched a documentary bio of Jack Gartside on youtube Monday evening. As a suggestion, check it out if you haven't.
    2nd, I was thinking of you last evening. I attended my Taconic chapter of trout unlimited zoom meeting last evening and there was a guest speaker doing a presentation on Salters. About 10 streams or so, with Red Brook being one of them. Very, very interesting.
    Another great post....PHil

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    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY
      Thanks
      Phil I've seen it and to others it's well worth watching. I'll bet that presentation was enjoyable and informative. Red Brook is waiting for me, now if I could only get a nice comfortable day.

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  3. Don't know how I could have any questions, that was thorough. Have to dig out some chickabou. Ever done that as a bead head?

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    Replies
    1. billp
      Thanks
      Bill that's good to know. When doing these I always think I could have shown more.
      I have never used a bead, but I think it would work OK.

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  4. Hi Alan I saw your previous post yesterday and was just about to start digging through the blog for the old post when you mentioned the Chickabou Streamer. Well this answers that. I got my first Firehole hooks in the mail yesterday (#12s, 609 & 633), a late Christmas gift from my daughter. Sadly my one and only local fly shop does not stock Firehole and that's a shame because they're beautiful hooks. I can see why you use them. I tied up a couple of brown/woodcock soft hackles with red heads on the 633s last night.

    Dean

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    Replies
    1. Dean F
      Thanks
      Dean those are two fine hooks. The size 12 is what I use most often. For soft hackles #12 is right. I buy my Firehole sticks from their website. Local shops don't carry them.

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  5. Awesome Alan, just plain awesome! Even a caveman like me can tie this! You had mentioned earlier a few strands of Krystal flash tossed into the mix! I know where to place those!
    Thank you for showing us this pattern and how to bring it together! It is indeed simple, soft, and speedy to tie!
    Dougsden

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    Replies
    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug love the caveman reference. You can use krystal flash or flashabou or Gartside's Secret Stuff. It is a simple and effective fly that will bring some bass and bluegills to hand.

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  6. That fly is right up my alley, Alan. Really nice.

    Best, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Sam
      Thanks
      Sam I bet you'll have fun tying it and you'll like the results too.

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  7. Alan, you were reading our minds, after your recent post on the subject I went straight to the web and Youtube to learn more about Jack Gartside and chickabou. So thanks for your step by step (SBS) on this fly. Another great fly to tie with a pheasant skin is the Gartside Sparrow, which seems his version of a muddler minnow. Trying these ties asap, the answer to a simple streamer “method” I’ve been looking for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ned Zeppelin
      Thanks
      Kevin Gartside loved the pheasant. He has some great caddis flies in which he really shines with the pheasant.
      I've done posts on the Sparrow, and it fishes very well.

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  8. I should have known to research the SSR archives!

    Thanks, Kevin

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    Replies
    1. Kevin those archives can hold some treasures.

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  9. Alan
    I could see this fly pulsating in the water and getting a savage take!! Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill "it's alive"...it's a fly that would work on your bluegills too.

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  10. Hi Alan

    As you know, your previous posts have inspired to have a go at tying up a few of these........
    Looking forward to the start of the trout season to give them a run out.
    Take care and stay safe
    Alistair

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    Replies
    1. Alistair
      Thanks
      Alistair I was shown just how creative you are in your fly tying. I'm waiting for the debut of the chickabou streamer on North Country waters.

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