Well the name certainly sounds a bit more interesting than waddingtons – but it can be hard to spot the difference. That doesn’t mean that I’m not impressed with the new articulated shanks from Flymens Fishing Co. I love them. They come in a lot of different types, lengths and colors. And it’s a great alternative to molesting your salmon hooks with wire cutters to get an intruder shank. Probably safer too:0)

I got hold of some samples of Senyo´s Articulated Shanks: A new version of the Fish-Skull articulated shank designed specifically for Intruder-style flies and other modern steelhead and salmon flies. To me they seem like the hot ticket for some catchy flies for Scandinavian sea trout and salmon as well.

Being on a tube fly and intruder style trip anyway, I went to the vice immediately and tried the new shanks for my favorite Soft Hackle Streamer/Popsicle variant – basically made from three different colors of blood quill marabou and a gentle sprinkle of pearl crystal flash. The results looks great – especially under water – and I had two sea trout grabbing one of these on the first test swim.

Been tying some ragworm saltwater flies too.

Try these shanks for streamers, saltwater-, steelhead- and salmon flies – and combine with the other Fish Skull products for super effective sculpin imitations.

Scandinavian fly fishermen can get hold of these products at any tackle shop carrying Fly Co products.

More info:

You can find a lot more info, tying instructions and patterns on:

http://flymenfishingcompany.org/products/fish-skull-products/articulated-shank/

http://steelheadalleyflytying.blogspot.dk/