The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I have zero experience using or tying tube flies. But I want to give them a try. Not sure why, I just have never used them before. But I am thinking they might make for a good pond smelt imitation to use at Almanor or Butt Lake and who know what else.

I am curious what others think about them. What has your experience been with tube flies? Any thoughts for someone just starting out tying and fishing them? Any suggestions on good sources for tubes and cones? Sources of instructional info?

Also I have to say that it has been real nice to see some familiar names from the hey days of NCFFB on a couple recent posts. I miss those days.

Thanks in advance for any help with tube flies.
Michael

Tube flies are getting popular but I have only tied a couple useing somebody elses jig ...didn't seem worth it to
me to make the investment but if you must these guys sell
everything you need,
http://www...m/cgi-bin/category/85700

Michael,

I have also tied a few. There are several good You Tube videos that show various patterns, although most if not all are steelhead/salmon patterns. What I like about tube patterns is you can change the hook if needed. Although my experience is very limited they don't seem much different than tying a regular fly. The only different equipment you need is the mandrel to hold the tube. A mandrel can be purchased, I think it is made by Pro Tube, for about $13.00 or you can go with the Eumers or HMH set up which are about $20.00 to $30.00 which have different sized mandrels/needles. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. It doesn't sound like tube flies have really grabbed everyone's attention. I know they are used more in saltwater than fresh, but still I think I need to give them a try.

Michael,

I frequent an Oregon and a Washingtopn board and it seems that tube flies are more commonly used by steelhead fishermen up in that part of the county. The other thing is that many of the patterns can be tied on a tube, a waddington shank, or just a cut hook. I have all the stuff for tying tubes I just haven't got around to tying many. Too many other patterns seem to interrupt my good intentions to tie flies on a tube.