All my Salmon flies and larger still water trout flies are now tied on tubes. Weighted flies are much easier cast on the wide rivers in Scotland, although I also tie them without weight. I used to use the cotton bud stems too, and still do in some cases, however I now prefer to have a clear plastic tube connecting my hook to the tube. This ensures no more tangles (which was a huge problem) and allows the tube to slide up the line on hooking a fish.

In winter and early spring here you need to get your flies deep. Tube flies are the way to go.