Special Delivery | Jeff Currier | Multi Fly Streamer Leader April 26, 2024 – Posted in: Special Delivery – Tags: ,

Currier Streamer Leader

Jeff Currier is known for his global fly-fishing adventures and being part of the U.S. Fly Fishing Team in competitions.  His world-wide experience and contact with many of the world’s best fly anglers has helped him to improve his already top-tier skills.

One area where Currier excels is fishing streamers.  Over time he has mastered the art of fishing multiple streamers at the same time.  Many of us have tried to do this and have given up after several attempts due to incessant tangling of the leader and flies.  Currier is going to show us how to minimize these tangles and then then show several key rigging options.

Eliminate Multi Fly Tangles

The first thing to consider in using a multiple streamer set up is to make sure it is legal where you are fishing.  There are places where single fly rules are in effect.  This can be a whole region or just a specific piece of water.   Once that has been determined, Curriers initial piece of advice is- fish heavier leader material.  The heavier the leader, the stiffer it is, and the less likely it is to tangle.

When using two streamers for trout, he will use a level, 10-foot-long section of 0X fluorocarbon.  His favorite material for this is Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Supreme Fluorocarbon.  You may think this is too heavy, but keep in mind that fish chasing a moving streamer are in the “go” mode and ready to eat.  In this situation, OX fluoro is pretty much invisible.

A tapered leader is not necessary for this.  A heavier fly will carry through the air as fast as the force that sends it, this being the cast.  This carries over to the next tip to eliminate tangles- put your heaviest fly at the end of the leader.  This is called the “point fly”.  The fly farther up the leader is the called the “dropper”.  A heavier point fly will help turn the whole system over.

The next part of this is to slow your casting stroke and open the loop.   The tight, high-speed loops we used for dry flies are not good with a multi-fly rig.  A double haul can be used to add distance to the cast, especially in a lake situation, but the open loop still needs to be part of the cast.

Rigging Multiple Flies

Distance between flies is a critical part of the multi-fly system.  Currier has learned to spread flies around 5 feet apart.  This allows more water to be covered in a single cast and through the course of a day really adds up.  This is especially true in lake and large river applications.  If the flies are too close together a hooked fish can get snagged in the loose fly during the fight, creating a real mess and possibly harming the fish.

The dropper fly (or flies) is tied off on 6”- 8” tag from the main leader.  If the flies are tied straight in line and two fish are hooked (this happens more often than you think) the straight pressure usually pulls the fly free from the fish on the dropper.    Having the dropper fly on the tag also gives it better action in the water.

Making the Currier Two Streamer Leader

  • Pull off 11 feet of 0X SA Trout Supreme Fluorocarbon tippet material
  • Put a Perfection Loop in one end and loop it to the end of the fly line
  • Cut the 11-foot piece of material at 5 feet
  • Connect the two pieces with a Triple Surgeons Knot leaving one of the tag ends at least 8 inches long, trim the short tag piece
  • Tie on the heavier fly as the point and the lighter fly as the dropper
  • One final trick– throw a half hitch in the dropper tag behind the Triple Surgeons Knot, this makes the tag stick straight out from the main leader and pretty much eliminates any chance for tangling

Final Thoughts

The use of multiple streamer flies can help catch more and bigger fish.  The leader design is a critical component of this system to minimize tangles and present the flies properly.  The system can be used on all lines- floating, intermediate, or sinking.  Be sure to check the regulations where you are fishing to make sure multiple flies are allowed.