Tube fly materials are tied on a small piece of tubing, rather than directly to the hook as in traditional fly-tying techniques. The leader is run through the tube, and the hook is attached to the line and drawn up to the fly. The tube fly originated in the 1930’s in Britain, but did not enjoy popularity until years later. In 1945, Mrs. Minnie Morawski, a fly dresser in Aberdeen, Scotland created a fly tied on a turkey quill, with the hook bound inside. A British doctor, William Mitchie, suggested replacing the fragile quill with surgical tubing, and the new method began to catch on. Although Atlantic salmon fishermen have used tube flies for decades, these lures have only recently begun to gain popularity with sporting fly-fishers in North America.
Tools and Tubing
A tube fly adapter is needed to convert the vise. A pin or mandrel is held in the adapter, and the tube is threaded onto it and clamped into position. Adapter, pins, and mandrels can be purchased as a kit. The fly-tier must also purchase the required shorter hooks, which are proportioned to result in fewer fish lost due to hook leverage. Tubing can be smaller or larger, and can be made of plastic or metal. In some cases, different tubing is used in combination. This allows greater flexibility in the weight of the finished fly. Metal tubing is purchased in pre-cut lengths, while plastic tubing comes in coils and is cut to desired lengths.
Pattern size and style are not dependent upon hook style. Different sizes and types of hooks can be paired with each fly. In addition, if a fish swallows the hook, the angler can simply cut the leader, leaving the hook to dissolve inside the fish, but saving the fly. Another hook can be rigged to the same fly. Also, the fly will slide up the leader, away from fighting fish during landing, resulting in less damage to the fly. In essence, the versatile nature of tube flies lies in the separation of the fly from the hook.
Books on Tube Flies
Tube Flies, by Mark Mandell and Les Johnson, (Amato Books, 1995) and Tube Flies Two: Evolution, by Mark Mandell and Bob Kenly, (Frank Amato Publications, 2007) are a couple of informational books about tube flies. Tube Flies Two includes descriptions of 200 flies tied by 35 fly-tiers.
How to Start Tying Tube Flies
According to Tony Pagliei, owner of T. Pags Company LLC, a company that produces multi-media presentations on fly fishing, as well as a line of tube fly products, “Googling the keywords "tube flies" will bring a ton of information to get the tube fly tying juices started.” Components are available for tying all types and sizes of fly patterns. There are small, lightweight tubes for dry flies, as well as metal tubes and coneheads for deep-diving streamers. Fishermen can create both freshwater and saltwater flies, attaching any favorite flash, fur, or feathers.
Part of the fun of fly fishing lies in the endless combinations of flies, presentations, fishing conditions, and fish species. Anglers can add yet another element of exploration to the sport by adding a few tube flies to their fly boxes. Tube flies can also bring new variety to the fascinating pursuit of tying flies. Tube flies are definitely worth any fly fisher’s consideration.
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