modern Michigan streamer · late 1990s to early 2000s
Maddin's Circus Peanut
Also called Circus Peanut, OG Circus Peanut
Likely origin Maddin as originator at the Troutsman agrees across Kreft, Global FlyFisher, the Slide Inn and Maddin's own interviews; the date ranges from the 1990s to the early 2000s.
History
Russ Maddin tied the first Circus Peanut while working for Kelly Galloup at the Troutsman in Traverse City. He wanted a long fly without the leverage a long-shank hook gives a thrashing fish, so he built it on two short hooks joined together. Maddin has said the trailing hook was meant to keep big trout pinned until they reached the net.
Galloup told John Kreft it was the first streamer he knew of with rubber legs, and Kreft treats it as a forerunner of Galloup's later Sex Dungeon. Global FlyFisher calls it one of the first mass-produced two-hook streamers. The pattern has since spun off many versions (Mini, Chromatic and others), and Maddin now ties the original as the 'OG' Circus Peanut.
Sources differ on the date: Global FlyFisher says the 1990s, Kreft says about 2000, and Maddin on The Articulate Fly places it in the early 2000s.
Materials
| Hook | Two hooks joined with wire or heavy mono: about size 1/0 front, size 1 rear (originally TMC 300-style streamer hooks) |
|---|---|
| Thread | Brown 6/0 (or to match) |
| Tail | Marabou with a few strands of Flashabou |
| Body (both hooks) | Chenille (Estaz-type in the original) |
| Hackle (rear hook) | Mottled hen saddle, palmered |
| Legs | Barred rubber or silicone legs |
| Collar (front hook) | Marabou and mottled hen saddle |
| Head | Chenille, with bead-chain or brass eyes |
| Connection | Wire or 25 lb mono with a few beads |
Tying video
Circus Peanut Olive | Fly Tying Tutorial | Articulated Streamer by Ahrex Hooks
Sources
- Kreft, J. "Circus Peanut Articulated Streamer." RiverKeeper Flies.
- "Circus Peanut." Global FlyFisher (video by Ahrex Hooks), September 5, 2025.
- "S1, Ep 4: Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ Maddin." The Butcher Shop (The Articulate Fly).
- "Maddin's Circus Peanut." Galloup's Slide Inn (product page).
- Kittleson, B. "Built to Fish: The Functional Art of Russ Maddin." Flylords Mag, August 7, 2025.
- "Video: The Story Behind Russ Maddin's Circus Peanut Articulated Streamer." MidCurrent, July 13, 2025.
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Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.