Circus Peanut
Designed by Cheech Fleischer, the Circus Peanut is among the most productive articulated streamers ever conceived. Its two-section design creates a hinging, throbbing action that mimics a wounded baitfish with jaw-dropping realism. The marabou and schlappen collar breathe on every micro-pause, and the fly's bulk displaces water that fish can sense with their lateral lines even in off-color conditions. Strip it hard, slow it down, let it hang — big trout absolutely crush it.
- Type
- streamer (Streamer)
- Hook sizes
- #2–6 (articulated, two hooks)
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- advanced
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Rear: #6 Gamakatsu B10S; Front: #2 Gamakatsu B10S
- thread: Black 140-denier UTC
- tail: Tan, white, or olive marabou, stacked thick
- body: Magnum schlappen hackle, palmered
- body hackle: Schlappen feather in contrasting color
- overbody: Barred rubber legs (2–4 strands per side)
Tying steps
- Build the rear section: mount a #6 Gamakatsu B10S hook; tie in thick tan or olive marabou as the tail.
- Wind magnum schlappen hackle forward over the rear shank; add barred rubber legs on each side.
- Whip finish the rear section; connect to the front hook via wire loop or braided line.
- Mount the front #2 hook; tie in marabou and schlappen to match the rear section.
- Add rubber legs on each side of the front section.
- Build a large marabou collar at the head; optionally add UV resin or EP fiber for the head.
- Tie in Flashabou or barred flash throughout both sections.
- Whip finish the front hook head and coat with UV resin.