Why Fly Fish With a Tandem Streamer Rig?

Fly fishing anglers targeting trout, warm-water, and saltwater species can benefit immensely from using a tandem streamer rig, which features two streamers fished in succession. Here are the top five reasons why this versatile setup is worth adding to your arsenal:

1. Enhanced Visibility

A tandem streamer rig creates a larger, more noticeable profile in the water. This increased visibility can be especially effective in murky rivers, stained lakes, or turbulent saltwater conditions, where a single fly might go unnoticed.

2. Narrow Down Color Patterns

Fish can key in on very specific color patterns, which can change from day to day—or even hour to hour. A tandem rig allows you to test multiple colors at once so you can quickly identify what’s working and maximize strikes.

3. Simulated Baitfish School

Two streamers swimming together mimic a small pod of baitfish. This natural-looking presentation can provoke predatory responses in trout, bass, stripers, and jacks, all of which frequently target schooling prey.

4. Increased Strike Potential

Running two patterns—whether different species imitators (e.g., a minnow and a shrimp) or the same fly in different sizes—creates competition in the water. Many fish strike more aggressively when they sense they might lose a meal to another “baitfish.”

5. Covering Different Depths

By varying the weight of your flies or the spacing between them, you can fish multiple levels of the water column simultaneously. For example, a lightly weighted fly up front may ride higher, while a heavier trailing fly sinks deeper—allowing you to target both active and less-active fish in one cast.

Tandem Streamer Rig Setup (Diagram Description)

Here’s how to rig it:

1. Leader Line coming from the fly line. (sinking leader is preferred)
2. First Streamer (Lead Fly) tied directly to the end of the leader. This fly is usually lighter.
3. Dropper Line (12–24 inches long) tied from the bend of the hook. The longer the dropper line, the deeper the second fly will sink. Use fluorocarbon.
4. Second Streamer (Trailing Fly) tied to the dropper line.

Rigging Tip: Place your heavier fly last (the trailer) to improve turnover and reduce tangles during casting.