Why Tubes?

I asked the same question a few years back. Here's the thread: http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/why-tube-flies.95945/

'cause it's a really cool tying technique, generally requiring the purchase of esoteric new tying gizmos, which I would try weren't I so fukin' old, and apparently unlikely need such deviltry for the miniscule prey I so avidly seek.

I've wondered about tube poppers for bass. Never done though.

Thanks Dipnet. I can see how those arguments make sense, esp for src.

They have been tying tube flies for a long time now. I had an old tackle box which I sold in a Garage sale. It had tube flies in it my father in law had tied up 40 years ago. They were tied up on straws. Lots of tinsel and other colors. I never used them as they were beyond me.

I think it was Jerry D, our mod that bought the box. That was a long time ago.It was when I first retired. I retired in May 1999. I had that box about 10 years before I retired.

I like tubes (though I don't always use them), so I'll chime in.

To argue that tubes are easier than hook shanks, in any way, would be wrong. What I like about them is that you can use them to build lots of different components you can stack on your leader to create endless color and profile variations. It works really well for intruder style stuff and marabou patterns (and I would argue it's easier to tie the individual parts of an intruder separately than it is to put them all together on a shank, but that's just me).

I like tubes for skaters; much less hook weight to deal with and the plastic is more buoyant.

Edit: I haven't tried spinning deer hair on a tube, but I assume it'll be a PITA. Those go on regular hooks.

Tube flies for Salt & Steelhead flies last long just replace hooks no need to trash the complete fly

plaegreid said:

Edit: I haven't tried spinning deer hair on a tube, but I assume it'll be a PITA. Those go on regular hooks.

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Its not bad, you just burn through hair faster to cover the massive OD of the tube compared to a hook shank.

I personally love tubes for steelhead and especially for pike.

I thought they were another ploy to buy more junk. Crap!! There goes my retirement!

Cody Bitterman said:

Its not bad, you just burn through hair faster to cover the massive OD of the tube compared to a hook shank.

I personally love tubes for steelhead and especially for pike.

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Do you need to use larger clumps or do a top/bottom sort of deal?

Couple reasons that I like tubes-

No rust.

They make up for a lack of tying skill. If my proportions are off I don"t end up with a crappy looking head.

Stackable

Dont have to fuss with the extra step of tying on trailer wire

PhilR said:

After seeing the other post about tube flies, and comments elsewhere extolling tubes, I have to ask-why tubes?

. I really prefer using a long streamer hook with the bend cut off. Rigged with beadalon wire and an owner ssw,
So, what advantages do you see in tubes?

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I have a couple of pages of advantages to list, but you can find those well documented here by Roger.

Thanks everybody. I may just have to commit to using them for a little while, and only bring tube flies with me. When I have both, I always to to stinger/shank flies.

well, since nothing is tied to the hook, just don't call them flies and don't try to convince yourself that you're fly fishing because you're not using a fly.


Ifishthemtoo...bwahahaha...

I'm curious, Phil. Why do always end up reverting to flies on shanks when you have both options? Have you had less success (in terms of bites) with the tubes, or do you just feel more comfortable with the way the shanks fish? Maybe just the convenience factors?

I'm not trying to convince you to fish tubes; just curious.

Years ago, I bought a box of 100 shanks, but found them more complicated to assemble than tubes. I have 98 shanks left.

If you are using articulated flies, have you seen the Plan D boxes. They're tits.

Don Freeman said:

Years ago, I bought a box of 100 shanks, but found them more complicated to assemble than tubes. I have 98 shanks left.

If you are using articulated flies, have you seen the Plan D boxes. They're tits.

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I only buy one-piece shanks No assembly required.

I actually don't like tying them, but that's likely a product of not having the best tool. On the other hand, I find that I lose far fewer of them on the jetty where standard clousers hang up quite a bit more often...I'm not entirely sure why that is. They also work really well for surf perch with basically what amounts to a trailing hook.