Steelhead Patterns on Tubes

The objective of this lesson is to help the attendee be familiar with tube flies and the methods, products use to tie tube flies.

The first mention of tube flies published appeared in 1932 “The Angler and the Tread Line” by Alexander Wanless. Wanless saw a solution to the loss of hooked . Using standard fly patterns of the day on a tube.

• Dozens of different ways to tie tube flies and different types of tubes can be used. • Any thing you can tie on a hook can be tied on a tube • Tube patterns work very well for larger patterns such as; Salmon, Steelhead, Large Steamers, Salt Water Bait Fish patterns some examples. • If you plan on getting started on tube flies some kind of holder for the tube will be needed. • If you plan on tying a variety of tube sizes a specific tube fly vise, such as;

HMH 432 Elm St US Rt 1 Ste. H Biddeford, ME 04005 www.hmhvises.com

Peak Fly Loveland, CO 80538 [email protected]

Norvise Tim O’Neil P.O. Box 310 Hockessin, DE 19707 www.norvise.com

• Example of a few different makes of tube fly vises.

• Planning on stay with one size of tubes HMH makes an adapter that fit in the jaws of a standard vises. • I will be using Pro System tubes and they have an inexpensive mandrel for around $20.00. • I will explain why when I start tying. • Here is a style of tube designed by Dave Blair it is called; “The Weapon” contact information:

Dave Blair Think Like A Fish, LLC 144 West 1700 South Orem, UT 84058

• I am going to use the “Pro Tube Fly System” for this demonstration • Pro System Information; Bruce S. Berry [email protected]

• Contact your local Fly Shop for availability they should be able to get the product. • Anything can be used as tubes; colored Q-tips are hollow, model air plane fuel line, aquarium water circulation line, copper tube.

• What I like about Tube Flies and also Intruder patterns is that they have no set pattern. As a you can set what ever color combination that has been successful for you in the past. • Intruder style basic patterns tied on tubes is very popular.

Let’s get started: