So I was wondering about tube flies.
How do they work exactly? What’re the pros and cons to them? Compared to traditional flies tied to hooks, what’s the point of them?
They look fun. Are they to save on hooks? Materials? I’m confused.
Much thanks,
Shane
Shane tube flies can be as small or as large as one wants depending on the situation you wish to fish. I have used them for bluegills bass pike and musky. A popular Nordic and Russian salmon fly. The hook is not part of the fly. The secret is to use a hook keeper to hold the hook snugly but loose enough to disengage from the keeper when the fish is hooked. You tie the fly on the tube add a hook keeper to the rear to hold the hook or leave it swing free. When the fish strkes the hook will come loose and the fly will slide up the tippit out of harms way. Depending on regulations you can use single,double or treble hooks. I have seen one style with a fly tied on the hook as well as the tube. Very large flies with less weight.
I use hollow Q tips from our medicine cabinet. I went to a bicycle shop to find the bike spoke that was the correct dia that the tube would fit on. Using the nut end I cut it to length to hold the tube. I slide on the tube tighten the nut to hold the tube from turning and tie the fly. Another type to chek out is a “Snake Fly” Go to Google and type in Tube Flies and Snake Flies. BILL
Fly slides away…lasts longer
Smaller hook…easier on fish…holds better due to less leverage advantage for the fish…I would consider this maybe the most important
Folks that use them report more hookups
Pretty much talking steelhead and Salmon…
Sounds like I want to get into tube flies. I ruin a lot of flies with my pliars taking them out, lost alot due to trees too haha.
I understand the tubes, almost. But what do you use for the hook keeper?
Another question for tube flies is for flies like a wooly bugger, do you tie the marabou on normally, or do you need to tie it evenly around the tube? I guess the tube wouldn’t show after wrapping the chenille…
Thanks a bunches,
Shane
I think the way you tie the tail won’t matter, but maybe you can tie the tail on the hook to get better motion and less tangles?
Hate to pop your bubble, there Shane, but believe me… "TRESS love tube flies every BIT as much as they do conventional style flies!
Dont get it-------BILL
“Trees” 
Well, I’m sure they do Paul. But I’m trying to give myself an excuse to have to buy more equipment. And tube flies look fun:)
Shane
P.S. Still need info on he hook keeper thingies.
When looking for hook keepers you first have to start with the dia of the tube you intend to use,it should have a snug fit on the rear of the tube. For the Q tips that I use I found a intravenous feeding tube that is used in a hospital fits. Just have to know a nurse because they throw them away. Craft stores and fish tank store tubing sometimes have the correct dia. Model air plane hobby stores also have tubes,plastic aluminum and brass.
With tubes you can have twenty or so flies in a box and one hook. Stretching it a bit,lets say twenty flies in one box hooks in another. Make great steamer flies. BILL
Sorry on TREES just not my day!!!
Tube flies are great, I tie them for bass, trout, panfish and saltwater, they are real money savers hehehe well at least thats what I told my wife when I bought the tube vise hehehe but seriously speaking you don’t ruin your flies when unhooking or playing the fish
this one is a killer for bass
Pay attention to Bill re: his bike spoke thing they work great…there are other ways to skin this cat but the bike spoke is as good as it gets especially considering the price.:lol:
BTW…that tress thing had me baffled too…but I was afraid to ask…you know how flybinder can get
In case you haven’t noticed LF posted this in another thread.
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt…031207fotw.php
The bit about using shrink wrap for the hook keeper is appealing.
You can get an assortment of shrink wrap at Harbor Freight for a real deal when the it is on sale.
http://hmhvises.com/board/index.php
HMH has a new forum with lots of info on tube flies.
So do you just push the leader through the tube, tie on the hook and pull it back to the tube? Inquiring minds have to know. Jim
that’s the whole thing. You tie the fly on the tube - the hook is ‘free’ on the leader/tippet.
As long as the fly is underwater, (under tension) the hook stays tight to the tube until the fish hits it. Then the tube part is free to ride up the leader. Makes releasing the fish easier and the fly doesn’t get all beat up. Neat stuff.
LF
I hope you are correct…but…
Why do …most…use a soft tube hook holder…even your link did…
LF
I hope you are correct…but…
Why do …most…use a soft tube hook holder…even your link did…
Frankly …they are a PITA
The hook holder does just what it is named, to hold the hook to the tube–when you get a strike the hook should pull free and the fly goes up the leader. BILL
Here is a tube fly I tied up for a swap here. One of the cool things about tubes is you can mix and match tails and bodies giving you a WIDE variety when at the river. There are also dry flies tied on tubes!
Figured out how to add pics! 
I have a question. Has anyone ever used any type of stopper device to prevent the fly sliding down the tippett/eader in the event of a line break. I was walking around a general fishing shop that had some flyfishing stuff and came across bobber stops. Has anyone but this above the hook to keep the fly from sliding down the line. Any other suggestions?
Chris
