Fly Of The Month

Aug 2002

TUBE FLIES ARE COMING TO THE SURF

My first introduction to tube flies was in Iceland fishing for Salmon. Being intrigued, I
started reading articles that started to pop up on these flies. Lefty Kreh, in his book on
Salt Water Flies states, "it's a shame that tube flies haven't caught on in the salt." A
number of other articles appeared in the fly magazines and tackle companies started
producing the needed materials. (See bibliographies)

What is a Tube FIy? Putting it simply it is a fly that is tied on a tube either metal(copper,
brass or aluminum) or plastic instead of the shank of a hook. You pass the leader through
the tube, tie on the desired hook and you are ready to fish.

Advantages:
1)- Economical- should the hook be damaged just tie on a new hook. The fly is
salvaged and you are back in business.
2)- Tube flies last longer. If a toothy fish strikes, the hook is pulled loose and the
tube slides up the leader leaving just the hook in the fish's mouth. The fly has less wear
and tear and it's life is extended.
3)- The size of the hook can be changed. You are not limited to size or length of
shank.
4)- Flies turn out to be more symmetrical and have a more desirable silhouette.
5)- Choosing different lengths, diameters and materials for tubes enables you to
fish at different depths thereby reducing some dependency on different weighted lures.
6)- Catch and release rate will probably be increased.

Materials:
Adapters- This gadget is inserted into the jaws of the vise. It holds the steel pins
and tube to be tied. The Kennebec River Fly and Tackle Co. makes one such device as
well as a kit. The kit has three steel pins that can accept tubes of different diameters plus
tubes made of different materials. A video on tying saltwater flies accompanies this kit,
(see figs 1 & 2).

An excellent article that appeared in the Fly Tyer (Jan/Feb. 1998, pg.52)
by C. Boyd Pfeiffer explores various ways of making your own adapters for practically
no money at all.
Tubing-Tubes are made of different materials and come in many forms and
sizes. A visit to the hobby shop or art supply shop can afford you the opportunity to view
the many sizes and forms of tubes available.

1 )-Metal tubes can be made of copper, brass or aluminum. All metal tubes
should have a liner or plastic insert Each end should be balled by heating. This will
protect the leader from fraying. A short piece of plastic tubing called the junction tube is
slipped over the hook end of the tube. This is where the eye of the hook is pushed in.
When the fish strikes, the hook is pulled off, the tube slides up the leader and you are left
with the hook to fight the fish. The fly has been saved.

2)-Plastic Tubes can be bard plastic or soft plastic. Hard plastic tubes can be
salvaged from filler tubes in ballpoint pens. Make sure to clean out all the remaining ink.
They can also be made from the stems of Q-tips or cocktail mixers, which come in all
lengths and colors. Soft tubing can be found at aquarium supply shops, hardware and
tackle shops and can be cut to size.

Published articles (see appendix) indicates that the ideal outside diameters of metal tubes
should be about 118th of an inch. The liners for the tubes should have an outside diameter
of l.75-1.5mm. Plastic tubes can have an outside diameter of 3116-118th of an inch

Plastic tubes are best for top water and shallow running flies.
Aluminum tubes serve well for middle depths.
Brass or copper tubes are used for deep presentations.

In tying you may run into trouble with the tube rotating on you. To prevent rotation
make sure that both ends of the tube are securely compressed. The front end of the steel
pin has a larger diameter and so the tube is held and the posterior of the tube is
compressed against the adapter. Now the tube should be secured. See Fig. 5.

You can also tie poppers and sliders by drilling the correct size hole through the body of
the material by inserting and cementing the tube.

In summing up: tube flies are useful in casting around rocks and boulders. On backcasts
a hook will break off (like I do) resulting in a throwaway fly. Not so with tubes.

Plastic tubes are used for top water and shallow running flies.
Aluminum tubes for intermediate running flies
Bronze, copper or brass are useful for deep fishing.

Fig.6 - Some shrimp and streamer patterns
Fig.7 - Shrimp pattern showing copper tube, junction tube and leader
attached to hook
Fig.8 - Joe Blados crease fly, some cone head flies.
Fig.9 - Finished streamer

APPENDIX
Lefty Kreh - Saltwater Fly Patterns; Mara1 Inc.

Mark Mandell and Les Johnson- Tube Flies, A Tying, Fishing and Historical
Guide; Frank Amato Pub. 1995

Kennebec River Fly & Tackle Co., P.O. Box 452, SO. Freeport, Me. 04078
Rooney Tube Works, 3224 N.E. 77th Ave.. Portland, Or. 57213.6513

C. Boyd Pfeiffer- Fly Tyer Magazine; Workbench, Jan/Feb 1998 Pg.57

Dick Talleur- Fly Tyer Magazine; Fly Tyer Section Jan/Feb 1998 Pg.63
Submitted by Sy Algus