"Midnight Express"

Trailer Hook: Daiichi 2553 sz 4
Main Hook: Any cheap Sz 2 streamer hook with big eye you don't mind cutting
Tail: Blue Ice Dub
Body: Black Ice dub
Hackle: Black
Wings and Collar: Eumer Finn Raccoon Kinfisher Blue, Black strung Marabou, Strung Natural Guinea

Note: If you prefer to tie or fish this pattern without trailer hook on a regular streamer hook just do away with steps that attach fireline for trailer hook...

No we don't have it at the shop and yes if you like this style of tying you will need it...

Attach thread and apply good thread base ending up with thread just behind eye of hook...Double up the fireline and run thru the eye of hook as shown...tie in fireline with thread starting from eye of hook and working back...do this two times...Tip: Make sure loop for attaching hook is long enough to pass trailer hook thru when ready to attach...

Finish tying in Fireline and apply one very thin coat of zap a gap to secure...this will take a few minutes to dry...

Tie in clump of steelie blue ice dub at rear of hook...

Tie in Black hackle...

Dub Body with Black or peacock ice dub leaving about 1/4 inch between dubbing and hook eye...
Wrap hackle forward and tie off where dubbing ends...

Tie in small clump of Finn Raccoon making sure it is spread evenly around hook shank...

Tie in another very sparse clump of Blue Ice Dub....

Tie in Black Marabou at tip...stripping the top side and palmer forward...about 3-5 wraps...Tip: When Palmering wet your fingers and stroke back marabou with each wrap making it easier to work with...

Tie off Marabou...

Tie in Guinea and use 3-4 wraps, stroking feathers back with each wrap to form collar...Tie off Guinea and whip finish...

Apply head cement and you have a finished fly minus the hook trailer hook..

Cut off streamer hook with side cutters...Thread fireline thru hook eye...

Pull hook back thru Loop and your good to go...

Finished fly with hook attached ready to go to work...Note: Black/Blue is a great combination for streamers and buggers during low light and or off color water...


This extended hook pattern is ideally suited for swinging on our tribs for Steelhead and spring run Smallmouth...The hook placement allows you to hook more fish than more traditionally tied patterns because you don't miss those short strikes...the wide gap short shank hook also allows you to land more fish due to better hooking penetration and fish cannot roll and torque the hook out like they can with long shank streamer hooks. Another advantage to these style of flies is being able to replace the hook if it becomes dull or you roll the point. Again this is a very versatile pattern that can be tied in any of your favorite color combinations...I like blue/black, red/black, chart/black, pink/white, olive/white, purple/black, and yellow/orange. Good Luck with this pattern as i know the fish enjoy it which means you will probably enjoy it as well...

Tips: If you like this style of tying with the extended hook for swinging which we highly recommend there are a few things you should look for when choosing hooks. For the trailer hook you want a light wire short shank hook with a big enough eye that the fireline fits through it easily so you can loop it on usually sizes 2-4 are good. Also when choosing the streamer hook remember something inexpensive because you are going to cut it and also a large enough front eye allowing you to run the fireline through leaving enough room for you to tie on the fly as well.