[Sigbusa]

I have been considering buying supplies and tools to start tying tube flies. However, as I look at the local fly shops, they seem to be reducing their stock in tubes. Rarely do I see a tube fly in this forum, are tube flies going away? A fad? Pro's and Con's? I specialize in ugly steelhead and salmon flies, usually on 3x+ long shank hooks. Should I make the investment in tubes?

 

[borderfly]

I myself love tube flies I feel they produce a better catch rate. The only problem is that some rivers you are not allowed to use them. But coming from Michigan you can use them anywhere. I think that they are more popular over in Europe and other places over there.

 

[TheWhiteman]

There's a nice tube fly selection in the classifieds now, would be a good way to get started with them

 

[Hardyreels]

I use them in various sizes. Some are huge while others have barley a 1/2 inch tube designed to trail materials and hook 2 or more inches behind the actual tube. The short tube type seem to provide better action. Having them on board is a good idea; I fish with flies ranging from classic Dee styles to big tubes sometimes in the same run if I think there are fish there that may move for something different or odd.

Go ahead,

Ard

 

[fish0n4evr]

I tie tandem-tube flies once in a while for winter flies. But I don't always find them either. I have found the tubes from spray-paint cans to be good alternates though.

 

[klintrock]

Other options

So I saw a post here a while ago....I followed up and found that the generic q tips you get at CVS Drugstore that come in yellow and purple make a great replacement for the other tubes,,,,and you get something like a billion of them for $3. Clip off the swabs on each end and plenty to work with....the only downside I find is I really need to pay more attention with the lighter when putting on the lip...
A place that has cool tubes is the Adipose fly tying guys in canada...http://www.adiposflytying.com/ many colors and styles....and no they wont go out of style,,,,I wouldnt do anything else for salmon.....

 

[beulahnw]

Tubes!

I prefer tubes wherever applicable. Not looking to redefine a Parachute Adams on a tube but I think tube systems are better and easier to find multiple sizes and color of weight, cones etc. that work on tubes.

BB~

 

[adiposfin]

Thanks for the kind words Klintrock.

I have to say that this has been our busiest year to date since launching 13 years ago. Tube tying is bigger than ever despite many companies that specialize in tubes beginning to kind of fizzle.

You are absolutely right about local fly shops bringing in tube tying components though. The market got very saturated with tube fly "systems"...... some good and some not so good. One or two of them were outright confusing and scared tiers away. I'm sure you have seen one or two of the "systems" die a slow painful death in some fly shops bargain bins. What they all had in common is that they came in way too pricy for most tiers to give them a try. My own opinion is that too much money was (and still is) put into the marketing of tube fly systems rather than into educating tiers about how to get started tying on tubes. Some shops have done a fantastic job of educating customers. Tube fly tying is thriving in those places. The companies that make tube tying components (for the most part) though have really dropped the ball .....my two cents anyway.

I'm finding that most really gung-ho tube tiers enjoy the process of finding the tubes and materials that work best for their fishing...... it's a very personal thing. Getting into tubes "on the cheap" is also 100 % do-able. Hardware store, Automotive Centers, craft stores, etc........ can be a good place to start

Stuart Anderson
www.canadiantubeflies.com
www.adiposflytying.com

 

[domantas]

wow those tubes are sweet… I would like to see a recepie for the second and third!

 

[beulahnw]

Recipes!

Domantas,

I am heading out on a rep trip. Back Saturday mid-day. Will work on some recipes for the site over the weekend.

Sorry about the time delay.

I-fli is actually on YouTube video from way back like 2008 or 09. I did the video with the Big "R" Fly Shop guys. I think if you type I-fli into the search box it will come up.

BB~

 

[Sigbusa]

Thanks for the information and pictures. Guess I'll head to the store and spend some bucks on Tube equipment.

 

[Riverman]

I'm a big fan of the Pro Tube "system". You can make it as complicated, or as simple as you want. I'm sure you will find what fits your needs.

Good luck,

Tony

 

[bconrad]

wow those tubes are sweet… I would like to see a recepie for the second and third!

And the fourth please...would love to know how you're building the profile bumps.

 

[beulahnw]

Rambulance Shrimp-Ish!

Rambulance Shrimp-Ish.

Materials List:
~Pro Tube Nanotube...Clear
~Pro Hookguide...Medium or Large...Orange
~Pro Rawweight...XS or heavier if wanted
~Pro Soft Sonicdisc...SM...Pink -or- MD. These make great bumps to prop materials in front of while not causing additional floatation. XL Softdisc is large enough to create lift that will counteract sink tip hampering depth
~Pro or Natural J.C. if applicable
~Fish Dope Dubbing...Sunkissed Orange
~Golden Pheasant Tippets...Dyed Fl. Orange
~Craft Fur -or- Arctic Marble Fox..Dyed Fl. Orange
~Silver Wire...Small
~Saltwater Flashabou...Pearl
~Schlappen...Dyed Fl. Orange
~Craft Fur -or- Marble Fox..Dyed Fl. Pink
~Krinkle Mirror Flash...Dyed Pink
~Marabou...Dyed Fl. Pink
~Schlappen...Dyed Fl. Pink

Tying instructions:
~Intall Hookguide and Nanotube on Flexineedle.
~Zap-A-Gap Rawweight onto tube
~Spin a dubbed bump of Fish Dope Dubbing at rear of tube
~Tie in Or. Pheasant Tippet in tip first and spin full feather
~Tie in Craft Fur -or- Natural wing in about 3/4" longer than pheasant hackle
~Tie in rib opposite tier's side
~Advance thread forward, tie in 1 piece of Pearl Salt water Flashabou and wrap down wing rear wing...then overwrap forward back to tie in point
~Tie in Or. Schlappen...just behind glued weight...spin 2 collar wraps then continue palmered wraps to rear of fly
~Bring rib forward through hackle for durability
~Cover hackle and rib wraps with a bit of Fish Dope dubbing and whip finish
~Slip on Softsonic disc small -or- medium as bump for front of the fly and re-install thread
~Tie in Pink Craft Fur -or- Natural wing...if the wing length is the same as the rear wing the difference in overall length will automatically happen. Prevents clumping and lack of movement when it gets wet which would happen if front wing is tied in to match the length of the rear wing
~Tie in Krinkle Mirror Flash down each side
~Tie in Marabou dyed Fl. Pink and spin 4-5 turns
~Tie in Schlappen Pink tip first and spin 4-5 turns
~Add J.C. if desired
~Form thread head and whip finish

Bruce Berry~

 

[klintrock]

Bruce, thanks for sharing....those beauties are inspiring! K

 

[Irishtye]

Tube flies

Hi guys, I luv to tie tube flies, over here in n Ireland franc & sneldas are the way to tie at the moment, there is a guy called sean staunton who makes a special tube to tie on also provides liner & outer tubing, they are so easy to tie, and they catch a lot of fish, look up his web site.:chuckle::smokin:

 

[klops]

yes they are very nice . I like especially 10 and 14mm version but sometime use also 19 and 25mm . Generally I like flies with some weight especially with higher water . Scandinavian style is to use big flies tied on plastic tubes only with cone heads as a weight but for me they are not as productive as weighted even very heavy flies. even sometime I add tungsten head in front of metal tubes . maybe not easy to cast 3g fly but on moder line also not so big problem.

 

[wstcstbob]

I-fli is actually on YouTube video from way back like 2008 or 09. I did the video with the Big "R" Fly Shop guys. I think if you type I-fli into the search box it will come up.

BB~

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I have been looking for a recipe for the I-fli or this video mentioned by Bruce above. I LOVE the look of the I-fli and would really appreciate any help on this. Been googling for it for fair amount of time now with no luck. Thanks!

 

[J.James]

Tube flies have come so far. They have applications for any angling pursuit

You can use weighted tubes or light tubes, varying cone heads if desired or none, you can make ten as small or large as you like. In addition, you can take a steelhead tube fly and change the hook for trout or half pounders

From intruders to willie guns, shanks et al

Here are some from Paul's PG Quality flies

Just outstanding

All tubes

 

[Bc steel]

As a new tier, I have started with the tubes. They are very easy to tie and versatile. I buy 3 mm tubing and 3.2 mm cones. No junction tubing required. Simple, I can change out hooks and rig them as I wish.