Didn’t want to hijack the other tube fly thread anymore then we already did, so I thought I should start a new one. (Deon’s thread got me thinking about the subject again.)
For those of you that tie tubes, do you use any of the ball/cone/teardrop head tubes? Brass tubes or just any free (Q-tip type) tube you can find?
Not counting the vice attachment/pin to hold the tube, and besides the tubes and cones heads or beads, are there any other special items or material that would not normally be found in an average fly tyer’s materiel stash?
I don’t use Q-tips. So far, I’ve used Eumer plastic tubes, cones, brass tubes, and ballhead tubes. I’ve also used bead heads and things that look like discs (not sure what they are called).
The starter kit you noted looks good. I live 5 minutes from Mad River Outfitters - they are a great fly shop.
Sorry Bass Bug, I just saw the post! lol. Eumer makes very good tube materials as does HMH. I bought the HMH starter kit a couple years back and it was around $25. It came with the vice/mandrel, a bunch of plastic tubes and junction tubing. I ended up buying the copper tubes seperate. I tie most of my tubes on copper, since I usually use them for salmon and steelhead. The brass tubes are extremely heavy and are generally used for heavier, deeper water. The aluminum tubes are light and are stronger than the plastic. The plastic ones are nice for lighter flies or for adding lead eyes or heavy cones. You can use any of the lead eyes, bead chains, beads etc., on them, just make sure the opening on beads and cones will fit the size tube you’re using. Most of your usual tying materials will work on tubes. The biggest concern is to not “build” them up as much as you might a standard hook fly. If you put too much thread, materials etc., on them, they usually fall apart. You definitely want to keep materials and thread wraps to a minimum. Good luck! They’re fun to tie and work extremely well.
Blue Dun, the discs are just referred to as cones. They’re suppose to impart a lot of action to flies in slow or stillwater situtaions. I haven’t tried them yet but I think they’d be great for bass flies. How have they worked for you?
Got to get back at this tube fly post. Anyone wanting a good site go to the expert–Tony Pagllei. site http:tubeflie.com Also GOOGLE Tube Flies for lots of info and patterns. No one has mentioned HOOK KEEPERS —that smaller plastic tube that is attached to the rear of the tube that holds the hook in place. My best source a hospital nurse getting a used clear intervenus feeding tube. When the fish strikes it pulls the hook out and fly goes up the line. Ill nevr use anythingbut Qtips and my bike spoke---------BILL
At this year’s Fly Fishing Show I bought a similar outfit of the micro line from Eumer’s. So far I have been impressed with the quality of the materials.
Re: the hook keeper that Bill mentioned…tubes can be tied with or without them…but …without them there are issues…basically poorer hook control…and folks that use a lot of tube flies say their hook up rate goes up using the keepers.
Ok, so if I understand what you’re all saying about hook keepers, then the clear junction tubing that comes with the hard tubes here are the hook keepers?
Ok, so if I understand what you’re all saying about hook keepers, then the clear junction tubing that comes with the hard tubes here are the hook keepers?
Exactly. When you buy any of the tube packages, you’ll get the tubes, junction tubing, and a plastic insert (for the metal tubes). The inserts are cut to length and then melted at both ends. They should form a lip around the opening of the tube. The junction tubing is then cut to length and is held on by the lip of the insert. The hook is then pushed into the junction tubing. As Gray Ghost said, you can buy them in a variety of different colors. For instance, you could use chartreuse junction tubing for a Green Butt Skunk tube fly. They’re fairly common on steelehead and salmon tubes.
I’m not totally sure about the hook-up ratio with or without the junction tubing. I’ve heard both. I believe Lani Waller just uses the hook knot and jams that into the insert.