Clear or Black Tubing?

[Woodstock]

I have been tying trout and Atlantic salmon flies for more than forty years and I was recently introduced to tube flies by a friend on the Margaree River in Nova Scotia. Due to recent heavy rainfall, fishing conditions on the Margaree were less than ideal (i.e.a five foot overnight rise in the water level). I did manage however to raise a few fish and made use of the down time tying flies in the comfort of my friend's camp. The flies that I tied were dressed with Marabou feathers and were tied on 1/8" clear plastic tubes. I was not unfamiliar with Marabou as a fly tying material since I had for many years past been using this type of fly, albeit tied on standard iron, for use in fall fishing for Atlantic salmon on the Main Southwest Miramichi River.

On my return to New Brunswick from my brief and very enjoyable trip to the Margaree I finished my fall vacation with a fishing trip to the Main Southwest Miramichi, where I encountered a great deal of success with the use of my newly acquired stock (three) of tube flies. Not only were the fish hooked, so was I.

Now that our fishing season for Atlantic salmon has come to an end I have slowly started tying flies for next year. I purchased a tying tool manufactured by HMH. A "beginner kit" was included with the tool and it contained clear plastic tubing as well as junction tubing. When I say that the tubing is clear I should be more specific; the tubing is in fact opaque/milky.

Now to my point: does the colour of the tubing matter?

The traditionalist in me has it that flies are tied on black hooks, or possibly on bronze hooks. Keep in mind that flies that we generally use for Atlantic salmon these days are hairwing flies such as the Green Butt Bear Hair, the Blue Charm, the Copper Killer. Shrimp flies, such as the Ally's Shrimp, are also used and they too are tied on black hooks. We do use Mustad type hooks for tying deerhair bugs.

I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone who has any advice to offer regarding the preferred color of tubing for tying hairwing Atlantic salmon flies.

[Igor]

Woodstock,

Unless you plan on leaving a good portion of the (carrier) tubing exposed, the color of the tube (metal or plastic) is kind of a mute point, IMHO.

If however you're looking for a bit of color or 'hot spot' on your flies, HMH/KRTC makes small and large diameter junction tubing in a variety of colors.

If you're looking for a colored carrier tube or 'system' of colored tubing, Mikael Frodin is marketing such a line under the brand name of 'Guide Lines Flyfishing'. Jack Cook of SteelheadAnglers.com carries the product.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail (or PM) me.

Igor

[Norseman]

What I think you should consider first and foremost on the tube color is whether or not the tube color will effect the colors of the dressing once wet. Those nice yellow flosses and such will surely darken up once wet. To solve that problem I would create an underbody of silver tinsel to brighten up the colors exposed to water.

If the flies are going to be dark bodies..then for sure go with the black tubing as there will be no effect when wet. The airshifter or airbrake black tubing I use is sooooo cheap I rarely use anything else. I have tried the clear brake tubing, but it doesn't make a very nice body, as the tube lip will not roll back when heated

Hope this helps

[Woodstock]

Thank you for the replies.

Norseman, the technique to which you refer, i.e. a light colored underdressing to prevent darkening of light floss when wetted, is indeed helpful and I will keep it in mind when tying on black airshifter tubing. I stopped at a local Parts for Trucks store on my way home tonight and I was given a five foot piece of 1/8" black tubing: no charge, the salesperson was a salmon fisherman and was quite interested in my intended use for the tubing.

Igor, I will attempt to post a digital photograph of my first attempt at tying tube flies. My attempt at posting a photograph failed. I will wait for a visit from my daughter so she can help me with the posting.

[Igor]

Woodstock,

Norseman hit on a good point when he mentioned that an 'underbody' of tinsel will help prevent your flosses from darkening when wet - I just use a smooth base of white working thread.

I look forward to seeing your photos - especially if you dress hairwings on a tube!

Norseman,

I've always thought the purpose of melting a small 'flange' at the the front end of the carrier was to prevent the thread from slipping off the tube while building a tapered head. I've yet to do, it and have never had a problem with a head coming apart. I think the multiple coats of cement I use may prevent that.

I wish I could get on the bandwagon about the use of brake lines and Q-tips for fly tubes. I just find the large outside diameters make for a huge head and very clumsy-looking flies. Have you looked at the Micro Tubing or new Low Profile metal tubes from HMH/KRTC? I found tying on them is very close to the 'feel' of tying on a regular hook shank, and the head and proportions of the fly are a little more pleasing to my (overly critical) eye.

[Norseman]

Igor

I would agree that the black shifter tube makes for a largish head, but the flies I tie on them are BIG anyways. I am always searching for new tubing. I use the lip rolled back to also hold my metal tube in place over the black...I use copper, brass and aluminum depending on the sink rate I want. The clear tubing seems to be a different material altogether....and it usually has a nasty curve to it that will not straighten out.

I just order some of the metal Yuri Sumakov( sp) tubes from the Irish Angler in Washington that look great....check out his site at irishangler.com and click on tying instructions, then look at the step by step for the half inch tubes...very cool

Have fun...you have started with an addicting way of tying

[Igor]

Norseman,

I've known Jurij (Shumakov) and have been an ardent supporter of his tube system for a number of years. In fact, Jurij was responsible for getting my first work (on modern Spey flies) published in Russia last year.

Jack Cook of Irish Anglers (aka SteelheadAnglers.com) is a fellow flytying junky and a great friend of mine, too. Make sure you ask Jack about Mikael Frodin's 'GuideLine' tubes the next time you chat with him.

I can almost promise that once you start tying on Jurij's tubes you'll never tie on a chunk of brake line again! *g*

Addicted, moi?

Igor

[Norseman]

Igor

PM sent

thanks

[Jacob]

The new Mikael Frödin Flour Tubes are exelent, but a little eexspensive!

[Rob Estlund]

Are those the ones from Guideline?

[Jacob]

Are those the ones from Guideline?

yes it is... i think other manufactures are allso selling flour tubes!

[Rob Estlund]

Thanks. I'll have to give them a try.

[Woodstock]

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?act=galleryviewlarge&showid=5455

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?act=galleryviewlarge&showid=5456

OK guys, I think I worked out how to post an image. I hope this turns out.
The two posts are 1) a Rusty Rat and 2) a Green Butt Bear Hair.

If this attempt at posting does not work out I will have to wait for some technical assistance.

Please note that these two flies are among my first few attempts at tying tube flies.

[Woodstock]

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?act=galleryviewlarge&showid=5457

My previous posting attempt appears to have worked. This one is and Ally'Shrimp and is my first tube fly.

I would appreciate any critique that you can provide re these three flies: Rusty Rat, Green Butt Bear Hair and Ally's Shrimp.

Our Atlantic salmon fishing season ended on October 15th and I will now settle in for a long winter during which I will tie some flies for the 2006 season.

[Dana]

which hook you using there?

[Woodstock]

The hook on the Ally's Shrimp is a double Loop hook that was given to me by a friend on the Margaree River in Nova Scotia at the time he introduced me to tube fly tying in early October this year.

The hook on the Rusty Rat is a Partridge hook that I had with my assortment of hooks for fly tying. The shank is straight and relatively short. I do not have the name or number. I have used the same hook on the Green Butt Bear Hair.

I can find no local source in my area for tube fly hooks. I do like the Loop doubles and they seen quite easy to insert into 1/8" tubing. I would like to know what people are using for hooks on 3/32" tubes, either singles or doubles.

[Woodstock]

Dana

I believe that the hook in respect of which you asked a question is a Partridge Hook: K12ST long shank Sedge/Caddis hooks
with a Grey Shadow finish.

[Norseman]

Woodstock.

Wonderul looking tubes....If you are just starting out you are doing a magnificent job on those patterns. Keep it up

Try tying one in the round...meaning all materials go completely around the fly...top it off with either three or four jungle cock eyes. Then put it in the water for a swim....water does something to jungle cock nails that no other feather does....it pops out and literally swims in the current. I tied up a Glenn Grant a while back...it calls for 6 jungle cock nails....it came alive in the water...very cool

[Woodstock]

Norseman, at your suggestion I have attempted a Shrimp "tied in the round".

[Jamey McLeod]

That color combo on a very similar fly had been killing the steelhead here in the GL's for me up until last week, before the rivers blew out.

I wasn't doing the "round" technique, but adding a wing of black marabou. Or, a few strands of Golden pheasant at the color break, and a Ringneck breast feather in the front.

Fly boxes are getting full, the garage is clean, thinking of building and arc next.

[Dana]

that's a cool fly! going to tie me some for winter steelhead.

[Norseman]

Wood.....very nice fly....definately give it a swim.

Do you have any jungle cock....that would really make that fly pop.

Well done....you have many great tying years ahead of you....just remember. Look at a material and think outside the box. Everytime I have ever thrown a curve at a Steelhead...they grab it.

Nice job

Paul

[Michael Koch]

Woodstock.

Like yourself I have tying flies for 30 years +, but especially tubes for 20 years + and have a few hints in line with above comments.

1) Ref the colour of tubing; this mainly depends on your own moode. I tie a lot of tubes (clear) without any body or colour and see no difference in the taking from the Atlantic Salmon. My own theory says, the larger the fly, the lesser accuracy and refinement is needed. The smaller the fly, the more you need details and colour separation. Mentioning the tube fly size all depends on your wing length. An overall 2" tube fly should be tied on a 1" plastic tube leaving the hook approx in the middle of the fly (Frödins theory - and it works well on the take and the balance of the fly).
But to conclude this part, the colour dosnt matter on medium and large tubes.

2. With regards to the head size, I use two-size plastics. A 1/8" as "outer tube" (body and hook hold) and a 1/16" as the inner tube.
If I forinstance make a 1,5" tube, the outer 1/8" tube would be approx. 1" long and the inner 1/16" would be 1". I put glue on the 1/16" and insert it half way into the 1/8" tube making and overall tube of 1,5" and leaving a small nice tip OD 1/16" on the fly to complete the fly and thus making a little nice and fine head.

3. Regarding the colour change to the floss, there are several options. A) you can varnish the floss making a lovely penetrant look, but still keeping the original colour. B) I also use gift-wrapping-band (not sure on that name). This gift-wrap-band made in a plastic-sort-of stuff comes in a huge varaity of colours (and now that Christamns is coming up - you will find mountains of it for free). Split it longitudinal in the desired width and wrap around the tube as floss. This wrap will not change in colour and make a nice and shiny look for a long time use.
C) Finally - you can use "Glitter-glue". Glitter glue comes in smaller tubes in a number of colours, silver, gold, bronze, black-bluish, red-goldish and so on.
Cut your tubes to size and smear them in this glue (unless where you make the head) and leave the drying as required. This will make a very nice, glittery and penetrant look.
Unfortunately, this glue is not a long lasting procedure, but will last for some days fishing - and good enough for a couple of fish !!!

Good luck.
Michael