Herring Tube Flies

So over the winter, I sat down at the tube fly vise and after a test build fly, cranked these out:

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP20497.jpg

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP20496.jpg

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP20495.jpg

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You can't really see from these pics, but there's a bunch of glow in the dark fibers in there. They light up like xmas trees when charged with a flashlight. The Chuckle Heads give the fly a nice side-to-side / random action. Since its a true tube fly, the hook eye inserts into the back of the tube, so the hook point itself is always in a good position. You can also easily run doubles, or "hang back" ala Doc style (he's right btw). Haven't got a fish on one yet, but I haven't fished them hard either. Time will tell, but they were fun (and hard) to tie.

Here's one more shot from above. The eyes are 3D and have physical depth for an epoxy head build up.

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP20498.jpg

Very nice Nick. Give us a report of how they work.

Those look awesome! I've been really getting into trying to tie my own buck tail flies. I wish you filmed your process.

Great looking end result bud.

Thanks guys. To be honest, they were not easy for me. Each one probably took 30 - 45 minutes beginning to end. I didn't want a 360 degree round head, so I had to figure out how to build up the epoxy to lay flat on the sides (for a narrower, more natural profile). The tubes inside are about 1.25" long, but you can make them any length you want (for the hook position of your choice). Double hook set-ups are just run up the tube and seated on the top hook eye. This allows the second trailing hook to be placed back anywhere you want it (hand back style for short strikers). Without a hook, the entire fly weighs next to nothing.

I'm going to fish em' tomorrow morning, so we'll see...

Just to verify, you're fishing these by trolling in the salt, right? They look absolutely lethal! Because of their weight, would you fish them on a longer leader? The flasher action would make these things go nuts!

I'm pretty envious man. Well done!

Yes, correct - in the salt behind a 11" flasher. They could even be used trolling the Columbia with in-line flashers.

those look awesome!
A little scent and I'd fish those babies. No doubt in my mind.

They would be deadly bucktailing up at neah bay I bet

SCARBOO

I can't see why they would not fish great when cast. I'm willing to do some testing . . .

Hi Dave - check your PM.

I have been tinkering myself during the 18-months or so...
Gut feeling tells me you're going to be very happy!

3 1/2-inches counting the Spin N Glo


This squid fly nailed a 32#r in MA13 two years ago


3 3/4-inch herring flies - UV and glow


742 Colors - UV and glow


Yup... they work!


Yup... they sure do!


I only use paste or gel scents on the flasher, leader and hooks. Placing scent on the fly will absolutely kill the action.

You'll find trolling fast (around 3kts) on a short leader (less than 34-inches) of 50# or 60# extremely deadly.

Blackmouth love flies!

Have fun!

Wow Captain - those are some great designs. I love the squid pattern and color of the blue & chartreuse fly. Interesting idea about the spin and glow. I did that once on a jumbo Halibut squid skirt and caught a nice Butt, but I didn't think to do that with "bait" flies. Very interesting indeed.

Some nice ties for me to aspire to here guys. Good stuff!

ND90,
Have you tried any of the UV cures rather then epoxy?
Doing so would cut down your tying time because you don't have to wait for the epoxy to dry or turn it.
Just zap it with the UV light and you are done. You can also add more material easily if needed.
Very nice looking patterns by the way.
SF

Stonefish - I haven't caught up to the times like I should on UV. Next time I'm in the fly shop I'll check it out - as the epoxy was the hardest part and takes the longest.

Does the UV give a nice hard head like epoxy and / or does it yellow over time? That's one drawback to epoxy - it does have a yellowing shelf life sometimes.

Those are awesome! Thanks for sharing, now to get to work!

Nick,
No issues with yellowing. I've used a few different brands of cures.
To get started, I'd recommend buying a tube of Loon Knot Sense and a UV light.
The Knot Sense will cure with a bit of tackiness. Set it outside in the sun for a final cure or put a coat of Sally Hanson's Hard as Nails over the top.

I've been using a new to me brand with good results. The light I bought with it is super powerful. If you hold it on the cure for to long rather then wanding it ober it the cure will actually start smoking.
The cure time is incredibly fast with no tackiness. After using the UV cure I don't ever see myself going back to epoxy.
SF

Thanks for the ideas. When I was casting a spinner last year there were multiple times when schools of silvers followed it in but refused to commit. I was thinking of tying up some trailer flies to drag behind it.