Tube fly tying

Greenhart Caste · Nov 14, 2014

I've tied flies for 60 years. Just starting tube flies! Realized today, as I was tying, when I take this off the vice and put a hook in it, what's up and what's down, as I fish it? Are these tube flies designed to be symmetrical, or is there really a top and bottom to them? I'm confused, think I'll go get a glass of wine!
Tellumnothing:

buff · Nov 14, 2014

It depends...

Not helpful, I know. If you Google up some tube fly vids on youtube, you will see that *generally, UK patterns are tied in the round whereas European patterns have a wing on top...like most conventional PNW steelhead flies. Here you see a mix of both, with Intruder influences...as far as the hook placement goes, it matters most if it is on a fly with a top. I tend to fish hook up most often, hiding the point in the tail and wing, and avoiding snags, but I will fish with the hook down if the fly needs some help from a keel. As far as my *generalization goes, it is correct until it is not... Cheers, Buff.

Dana · Nov 15, 2014

Speyducer on the "hooks, feathers and floss" forum below ties a lot of tubes. Search him & you should find lots of examples. Here's one from me several years ago that shows a tube in-the-round:

http://www.flyfishingforum.com/flytalk4/showthread.php?t=1601

Speyducer · Nov 15, 2014

peter-s-c · Nov 15, 2014

One more video for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OADEG4ZzZDw

Tube fly tying

Greenhart Caste

Tellumnothing

buff

Banned

Dana

chrome-magnon man

Speyducer

Released to spawn

peter-s-c

Hooked4life