String Leech (Articulated leech) was invented in American North-West for catching steelhead. The idea to separate heavy head and the hook by a piece of string allows creating big, but very lightweight fly. The short shank hooks hold the fish better than the ones with long shank.
In 2000, when I had started to fit keys to Siberian taimen, I began working on the idea of the String Leech. I wanted to create a fly which will move with the hook upright, and will be easier to cast comparing with "classic" leeches made of marabou feathers. Articulated taimen flies are made on "bases" of different types.
To most of my articulated flies I am adding "feelers" made of ostrich plumes. They are always tied on top and on the sides of the fly (not on its belly side). This helps to direct the hook of the fly up, so it is snagging logs and rocks not as often. Articulated flies with elements of ostrich are becoming similar to Intruders; I am calling such flies "Squid" or Giant Squid".
In most cases Siberian taimen is caught with dark flies
Red-and-Black Squid: these colors are among the best for both Siberian and sea-run (Sakhalin) taimen. They are also attractive for salmon (chum, cherry, chinook, and coho) and white-spotted charr.
Artificial Zonker has 2 rabbit strips - one at the hook, and another at the weighted head of the fly. This fly has hook tip directed down.
Two bunches of bucktail tied to "articulated base" make excellent fly for sea-run taimen.
To be continued (materials from the book "Fly Fishing the Russian Far East")
