Younger, more open-minded fly-tying anglers turning to tubes

Permit illustration by award-winning watercolorist Thom Glace. Visit his site here . . .

Choosing tube-tied flies over hook-tied flies can lead to better angling outcomes

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By Henry Clement

There are several undeniable advantages to using tube-tied flies. One significant benefit is related to casting. Casting performance can be measurably improved by opting for tube-tied flies instead of their hook-tied counterparts. A reason to accept that claim is that with a tube tied fly, the hook does not determine the fly size or weight.

Here are some well-established advantages of using tube-tied flies:

**Weight**: A 4XL hook-tied fly tends to be heavy, while a similarly sized tube fly can be significantly lighter and more durable. Why? Because tube flies do not have to rely on the same hook as their hook-tied equivalents. There can be several hook size options when choosing to tie a fly as a tube fly.
**Durability**: Tube-tied flies are inherently more durable. When a fish takes the fly, the hook tends to slide up the leader, reducing the fish’s leverage and damage to the physical fly. As a result, tube-tied flies generally last much longer than hook-tied flies.

Overall, switching to tube-tied flies can enhance your fishing experience

There is no compelling reason to conclude that tying a fly on a tube is more difficult than on a hook. Someone who is selling the idea that tying a tube fly is even difficult speaks irresponsibly. The vise does not have to be different. The tools are exactly the same. The tying techniques and materials are the same. You are simply tying on a tube, not a hook, that’s it.

Illustration by Thom Glace – rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Used with permission. Link . . .

Modern thinking

Tying flies with tubes can have limitations, particularly when it comes to creating worms and ultra-small flies. Personally, I don’t use tubes for sizes #16 and below, as I don’t see any advantages in doing so. Others may have different opinions.

One expert on tying smaller flies is Ruben Martin, an Argentine renowned for his exceptional skills that surpass those of most professional tiers. He is also an enthusiastic fly fisher and casting instructor. Together with primarily Scandinavian peers and a few British tyers, Ruben has contributed to the evolution of angling by introducing modern tube fly options.

A mention

As a general rule, it’s advisable not to use barbed hooks, whether for hook-tied flies or tube-tied flies. However, if the fish is intended for the table, it doesn’t matter.