Articulated streamers, simplified.

Designed by Martin Bawden.

This innovative, multipurpose material is a key component for tying different styles of articulated streamers, such as single-hook and double-hook articulated streamers, poppers, and sliders, as well as in streamers that use a free-swinging stinger hook, such as intruder-style salmon and steelhead flies.

Quantity per pack: 20

• Features
• How to use
• FAQs

• Quick and easy to tie
  Eliminates the need to sacrifice a hook to make a shank.

  Realistic movement
  Increases both tail action and overall fly length.

  Durability
  Reduces the leverage a hooked fish typically places on a fly.

  Stainless steel 
  For saltwater use.

  Limitless combinations
  Combine with the Baitfish Head, Fish-Mask, or Sculpin Helmet to create irresistible, realistic streamer patterns.

• 1. Tie materials onto the hook to create the tail of the fly.

  2. Fit the finished tail hook on the loop of the Articulated Shank.

  3. Put the Articulated Shank in the vise and use thread wraps to close off the loop.

  4. Continue adding body materials to the Articulated Shank and finish the fly in the normal way.
  
  Getting Started with the Articulated Shank

• Q: Does the Articulated Shank introduce new concepts in tying articulated streamers?

  A: Not really. For the most part it is intended as a fly tying material that can be used to simplify some of the established articulating methods commonly used today. Fly tiers can still tie the same types/styles of articulated streamers, but now the Articulated Shank makes this a little easier and quicker by eliminating some of the tying steps and improvised materials (such as sacrificing hooks to make a shank). In saying that, the simplicity of the Articulated Shank allows the fly tier to experiment and create new and innovative techniques to articulate flies. You are only limited by your imagination!

  Q: How would you describe the shank?

  A: Simple. It is essentially a hook-shank with a straight hook eye on one end and a vertical, over-sized loop on the other. It is made of 316 stainless spring steel so that it can also be used in saltwater. It is available in 3 lengths i.e. 20mm (3/4”), 35mm (1 3/8”) and 55mm (2 1/8”) to give fly tiers plenty of options.

  Q: How thick is the wire?

  A: The wire diameter of the Articulated Shank is roughly the same as a typical #4 or #2 streamer hook. It needs to be this diameter in order to fit through the eye of the hook you are articulating. So by default, the Articulated Shank is intended for streamers using hook sizes from about a #4 hook upwards. Experiment with your hooks as there is no industry standardization and hook eye sizes will vary between hook makes, models and sizes.

  Q: How strong is the wire?

  A: The strength is about the same as a #4 or #2 streamer hook. Like a long streamer hook, if you had to put enough direct pressure on it with your hands it would bend. However, one of the major advantages and beauty of an articulated fly is that it vastly reduces the amount of leverage that a hooked fish can place on the fly. This concept is not always widely understood or discussed, but is a key factor in landing bigger fish more often. The shank sits between the fly line/tippet and the articulated hook which moves independently from the shank. So no matter how hard a fish fights it becomes virtually impossible to exert any direct pressure on the shank. The shank essentially becomes just an extension of the straight line that connects an angler to the hook in the fishes mouth.

  Q: Why an over-sized vertical loop?

  A: A little more freedom of movement. In addition to side-to-side action, we also wanted to ensure there is plenty of room for up-and-down movement on the drop between strips. Typically the loop is completely covered with body materials right up to the articulation point and cannot be seen.

  Q: What is the difference between the Articulated Shank and Senyo’s Articulated Shank for Steelhead & Salmon flies?

  A: Both shanks work very well, but the main difference is the Articulated Shank is more of a general purpose shank with various fly tying applications, whereas Senyo’s Articulated Shank is specialized with features that modern steelhead and salmon fly tiers have been asking for.