Super Tube fly

[mgdfly]

A couple of years ago I started tying short (< 1") plastic tubes in different colors with different materials,some with just crosscut rabbit or schlappen, others witha mixture of wrapped maribou or Rhea over long saddle hackle, and added a little Flashabou to a few. I use a #1 or 1/0 Owner hook, drop a plastic bead, a bright colored tube ( flame, chartruse, orange ) another bead, then 2 or 3 black tubes with beads between each, and top it off with a black or PURPLE maribou/flashabou tube. Sometimes the front tube is tied on a 1 or 2" copper tube if I want more depth. This gives me a long fly that REALLY SWIMS but with less weightthan the same length NOAL leech. Caught a couple Springers last year on mostly pink and peach versions. One thing I have observed is that most Steelhead, especially those big late winter fish,both native and hatchery, will HAMMER this fly so it's best not to be too laid-back while it's in the water, or it could be an expensive outting. Almost lost my 9 wt. last year. Don't be affraid to fish big flies, even in the summer, I can't count the number of times I've hooked Summers on a 1/0 muddler or GP after I or someone else fished thru a run with a standard #4 whatever. Try it, it will suprise you! Tight lines.

[R1T48]

Could you show us a picture? I'm interested.

[mgdfly]

I don't have a digital camera, but my buddy does and I'll see him tomorrow, sostry tuned and we'll see if we can't get something up Sunday . Thanks Mike

[nikkidog]

Here are some photo's of the super tube fly.

[mgdfly]

A littlt ifo about the above pics. the first is the expanded view. Inthe second, the top fly is the same one, the middle one is a series of tubes tied with crystal hackle (except for the front tube) that results in a fly that doesn't absorb water so it's easier to cast on a lighter rod, and the bottom one is a variation with an imitation of the head of a shrimp/prawn tied on the trailing hook itself. Hope this helps.

[padisharcreel]

I enjoy tying tube flies and these look super to me! I can't wait to give them a try. Thanks for sharing your great idea
:idea:
Padishar Creel

[BigSkyHunter]

Personally I have never used tube flies but those things sure look like they could catch some fish! After looking at these my curiousity is rolling, I think I might have to try some out soon.

BSH

[2/0Dee]

I tied up and fished a bunch of these a few years ago and they work great for mixing and matching colors. There is a ton of flexability by interchanging different tubes. I never really got into tying tube flies so I stopped doing it but they are great flies.
mike

[TallFlyGuy]

These look cool. Only problem I would have is I like to stay low and slow, which means breaking a few flies off here and there. These look like they would take a long time to make up, and rig up on the line, but look way nice.

Justin

[mgdfly]

Actually they are quite easy to tie, and the tube fly starter kit is very inexpensive and easy to use, and fits any vise. I fish them as deep as possible and find that they hang up less often than similar MOALs. I have also found that even in very cold water, steelhead will move up to tae BIG flies more redily than smaller ones. And I have seen March fish follow them more than 50 ft. before inhailing them! Mike