In their book, "Trolling Flies For Trout and Salmon", noted authors and fly-tiers Dick Stewart and Bob Leeman, say that streamer fly development began in the late 1800’s. "The early 1900’s witnessed the introduction and use of long-shanked hooks for streamers in order to entice a greater percentage of strikes." The first tandem streamer design is credited to the late Dr. J. Hebert Sanborn, of Vinalhaven and Waterville, Maine. While trolling for salmon on Messalonskee Lake, in Maine, with single hook streamers, Dr. Sanborn came upon an idea to eliminate short strikes and originated the first tandem type streamer fly tied on two number 8 long-shank hooks. The eye of the rear hook was filed off so that the wire used would taper and both shanks were attached and wound with tinsel. After adding white bucktail, light green saddle feathers tied flat (horizontal) and vertical-tied black feathers, the fly closely resembled a live smelt. The end result was a very long-shanked, rigid streamer fly with two barbs. 

Dr. Sanborn and outdoor writer Gene LeTourneau first tried the new creation on Messalonskee Lake. While trolling, Gene got a hefty strike on the fly and reeled in a brook trout that weighed four and three-quarter pounds. The next day, however, Dr. Sanborn hooked a large landlocked salmon on his unnamed creation. Since his salmon weighed in at nine pounds, three-ounces, the streamer was named "Nine-Three". Although still a popular pattern today, it had a problem. The wing feathers protruded too far beyond the rear hook, resulting in still too many short strikes. 

TANDEM STREAMERS:  The top two streamers are ones that are commercially tied and most available.  The bottom one is a Gray ghost mini-tandem streamer tied by the author.  Note the differences in lengths.

It was Gene LeTourneau’s brother, Emile, who conceived and designed the tandem streamer that we know and enjoy using today. His design became known as the ’booby trap’ fly in other parts of the United States. Unlike Dr. Sanborn’s Nine-Three design, Emile used two short-shanked hooks that were bonded together with wire or gut. The entire streamer was dressed on the front hook with the rear hook extending to the end of the wing. This design considerably eliminated short strikes. After the new invention of the tandem streamer by Emile LeTourneau, in the early 1940’s, many of the old original streamer patterns were also tied as tandems, including Carrie Stevens’ popular Gray Ghost.

There are several reasons why salmon and other fish strike out at tandem streamers, or any other streamer for that matter. They are hungry and believe the streamer to be a smelt, minnow or some other meaty baitfish. If not hungry, they will strike at a tandem streamer out of curiosity, in anger or in the spirit of playfulness. The closer an angler comes to choosing a tandem streamer which imitates the type and size of baitfish found in the waters being fished, the better the chance of hooking a fish. The disadvantages of a single hook, long-shank streamer is that once hooked, the long-shank hook often serves as a leverage, allowing the fish to work the hook free during the ensuing battle and get away.

As a fly-tier myself for many years, I have experimented with trolling different size tandem streamers while fishing for salmon and trout in clear water lakes of Maine and New Hampshire. I have found that during the early season, April through the first week of June, a tandem streamer’s size can make all the difference between ’some action’ and ’lots’ of action. Surface water temperatures often remain cold enough so that salmon and baitfish are found cruising nearer the surface to depths of 10 to 15 feet down. It is a time when smelt are on their spawning runs, many are small size, and the salmon are aggressive and provide plenty of action. It encouraged me to tie down-sized tandem streamers that I call Mini-Tandems. A standard length tandem streamer will work, but a mini-tandem will often work better.

Mini-tandem streamers have a total length of 2 ¼ to 2 ½ inches, from the head to the end of the wing tip, and are most appropriate to use when trout and salmon are in the upper reaches of the water column or when fishing close to shore areas. As the season progresses and the waters become warmer, salmon and trout will go to deeper depths seeking cooler temperatures. When fish are below 20 feet, I find that the standard length tandem streamers (3 ½ to 3 ¾ inches in length) work better than the mini-tandem because it is easier for the fish to see them at deeper and darker depths.

If you tie your own flies and are familiar with tying tandem streamers, that’s great. Just be sure the overall length of the mini-tandem does not exceed 2 ½ inches. Plan to tie at least two of each trolling pattern that you intend to use. These might include the Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, Meredith Special, Joe’s Smelt, Winnipesaukee Smelt, Nine-Three, Colonel Bates, Barnes Special, Mickey Finn and the Golden Marvel. When tying mini-tandems, I use Mustad 9671 Viking, 2X long hooks, or the equivalent. The rear hook is a #6 and the front hook is a #4. I cut my hook attachment wire to a length of 1 5/8th inches. The rear hook is tied first, with the attachment wire on it, then it is attached to the main hook and the main hook is tied with body, wing, cheeks, throat, etc., and finished.

Many anglers do not tie flies and therefore must rely on getting their tandems from other sources, such as bait and tackle or specialty fly shops. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, mini-tandems are not available through most fishing/sporting goods supply outlets. Those available are usually tied in the longer lengths of 3 ½ to 3 ¾ inches and even as long as 4 inches in length. But, one need not despair. If you know someone who ties streamer flies, they could perhaps help you out. Shops who sell tandem streamer flies, may be willing to give you contact information for the person who ties flies for them and you could approach that person about tying mini-tandem streamers for you. I am currently contacting a commercial fly-tier who ties tandem streamers and might be willing to tie mini-tandems. I will inform our readers next week when more information becomes available. In the meantime, tight lines and happy fishing.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com