streamer drag design

[Vicente G]

hi guys, when tying a streamer, more specifically the streamer drag design, what materials you you tend to use are good for this or do you have any tips regarding this, for example putting a certain material or shape to increase left, right, upward or downward drag, I ask this because I want to make downward drag flies to eliminate most of the weight I use to compensate for the lack of fast fly sink rate , I've heard that using heavier hooks and "less material" to decrease drag helps to achieve a better fly sink rate, but I would like to do a downwards drag fly so I don't use more weight to get the fly down and limiting myself in material quantity, I ask this also because I tend to use longer leaders and a lot of weight and a long leader don't like very much each other

thanks everyone and have a good day

[Mangrove Cuckoo]

Vincente,

How large of a streamer, and how deep do you want it to swim?

In a current?

How long are you willing to wait for it to sink?

Generally, I find that using all synthetic materials, tying sparse so they don't trap air, and wrapping lead wire behind the hook eye will get a 5" saltwater streamer down a few feet easily.

If you really want one to drag or dig, there are "fly lips" that can be incorporated. They are tricky to tune but really something when fished dead downstream.

[Paul Arden]

Hi Gary,

Some years back Flavio and I experimented with Lips. What do you use, and what have you learned with this?

We were trying cutting up empty beer cans. It’s what we had available.

Thanks,
Paul

[Mangrove Cuckoo]

Paul,

I purchased the ones I have tied some flies with. I think the package actually said "fly lips" or something similar.

They are tough to adjust, and twist when you cast or strip 'em too fast even after getting the fly to swim right.

But... they can be fished downstream by feeding and holding. They are killer for dropping back into a deep river bend under the branches. The fly will wobble like a lipped balsa wood plug on the hold, then dead drift back at depth when you feed. The word "Sexy" does not do them justice.

It is a deadly technique... almost too productive... and kinda like Euro-nymphing... is it flyfishing?

To me, it's a last resort kinda thing. But there are a few in my flybox.

Gary

[Paul Arden]

That’s not really what I need, Gary. I want something I can cast high speed, floats when waiting for the shot and will pull subsurface when stripped.

Sometimes the snakehead won’t look up. But there is not enough time for fly in hand and if the fly sinks while waiting for the shot this is also too slow.

Flavio made some flies that sort of did what we wanted. A lot of fiddling around for sure!!

Cheers, Paul