Correct tube fly dimensions?

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  • Dec 14, 2011 at 2:56 am #6742
    Gary Worrall
    Member

    Hi Guys,
    I’m relatively new here, found the site in my search on how to tie the tube fly

    I’m glad to say, tube flies are part of my fly list now and have been successful already

    I mainly target saltwater species,

    What size do you make them in comparison with “normal” flies?
    I have a feeling I just maybe making them too long
    Regards,
    Gary

    Dec 14, 2011 at 2:25 pm #58762
    Avatar photoBob Riggins
    Member

    Are you asking how long you cut the tube, or how long should the fly be?

    Dec 14, 2011 at 10:24 pm #58763
    Gary Worrall
    Member

    Tks Bob,
    Length of the tube?
    Usually, with a “normal” fly, I have the material running just past the hook,
    I,m finding that I’m having to make the fly 2 hook lengths
    Not that I’m complaining, I am catching fish 🙂
    Regards,
    Gary

    Dec 14, 2011 at 10:28 pm #58764
    Avatar photoJustin Witt
    Member

    Can you upload some pictures?

    Dec 15, 2011 at 3:54 am #58765
    Gary Worrall
    Member

    Can you upload some pictures?  

    Yes 🙂
    Back shortly

    Dec 15, 2011 at 4:27 am #58766
    Gary Worrall
    Member

    Images
    Hooks are,
    Gamakatsu 1/0 and 2/0 SL12S

    If you look at the second image,
    The eye of the hook is at the end of the tube

    Dec 15, 2011 at 2:39 pm #58767
    Avatar photoJustin Witt
    Member

    The only thing I can think of that you might try is shortening the tube itself (this may be able to be accomplished without shortening the body of the fly) and trying a different hook style.  You don’t really need much shank on a tube fly hook, and in fact it is better to have very little, so even circle hooks can be quite good solutions.  I would consider the Daiichi X point series, style X510.  The relative weight of a hook and its position in relation to the head of the fly can make a lot of difference to action in tube flies, and sometimes this has a big effect on success in terms of takes as well.  Generally I try to keep most of the weight of the flies I will be strip retrieving towards the head, and use as light a hook as possible so as to get a jigging action.  Longer streamer patterns that I will swinging with the spey rod I balance more towards the tail.

    Dec 15, 2011 at 3:43 pm #58768
    Avatar photoBob Riggins
    Member

    On tube flies (again, I’m talking saltwater), I trim the tube shorter.  I also use short shank hooks with an upturned eye, then snell the line to the hook.  This keeps the hook from flopping around in the fly.  On shark, baracuda and mackerel  flies, I use braided wire leaders with nylon coating but still snell the line to the hook.

    Dec 16, 2011 at 1:05 am #58769
    Gary Worrall
    Member

    Thank You Bob and Justin,
    Will have another look at hook patterns and shorten them down a bit,
    Admittedly, I’m using 6′

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