Tube For 'Tube Flies'

[Allan]

Not having tied any of this type of fly I thought I'd ask a question. Maybe some of you have tied these and have an answer.
The body of the 'Tube Fly' is obviously a tube. Now I've seen these (illustrated and photographed) made from with what looks like metal or plastic. What material is used for the tube and if plastic, any particular thickness? Can you use the small coffee stirrers or even some of the plastic 'Q-Tips'?

Allan

[ducksterman]

You can use both plastic or metal.
All I have used are the Q-tip ones. It's been a long time since I purchased mine...a sack of 600 @ the $1 store....practically free. At that time only the colored ones were hollow not the white shafts.

Also it is not necessary to purchase any expensive holders. Many things can be used ...e.g. a bicycle spoke works quite well...any straight shaft with a little bend on the end can be used as a holder.

[Uncle Jesse]

Also it is not necessary to purchase any expensive holders. Many things can be used ...e.g. a bicycle spoke works quite well...any straight shaft with a little bend on the end can be used as a holder.

I guess you can still find them, diaper safety pins can be straighten and held in the vise they are great for tying extended bodies and can be modified to hold a tube.

[AlanB]

Q-tips make great tubes. Some years ago Marc Petiitjean showed me a very good way to hold them while tying. Cut one end straight and mushroom the end with a flame. Cut the other end at 45 degrees. Take a length of stiff wire and bend the end 1/8th inch at 90 degrees. Drop the wire into the tube from the angled end. Fix the wire in your vice with the mushroomed end against the jaws. This is a good method as it doesn't rely on friction against the inside of the tube. Once tied remove the fly from the vice and wire. cut the angle off straight and mushroom that end.

By using this you will never get the problem of the thread squashing the tube onto the mandrill. I have had this happen with other methods. It is very disappointing to tie a fly to find the only way to get it off the mandrill is to cut it off.

Cheers,
A.

[Allan]

It's truly amazing that a piece of material like this tube can be purchased at one of the 'Dollar Stores' at about 500 pieces for $1.00. Yet, package just 24 pieces in a zip lock bag, label it something specifically different and it sells for $4.00 and up.

[Kaboom1]

It's truly amazing that a piece of material like this tube can be purchased at one of the 'Dollar Stores' at about 500 pieces for $1.00. Yet, package just 24 pieces in a zip lock bag, label it something specifically different and it sells for $4.00 and up.

Yep...the see us fly fishermen coming from a mile away

Brad