Fly Tying: Tube Flies Part 1

[@ichabodcrane123]

This is terrific! Please keep 'em coming. There is very little out there on tying tube flies and a series of, "Everything you always wanted to know about tube flies, but were afraid to ask," is desperately needed. Hope Part 2 (and 3, 4, 5, etc) will be out soon!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the great comments, Sy; I'm really glad that this series is helpful. Let me know what you think of the other videos as they come out. Thanks again! TC

[@simonfox5123]

Fantastic video, I’ve been looking at these for a while now and I’ll pull the trigger after this video. Thanks for taking the time to post, there’s not much out there on this kit.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Simon, I know you'll enjoy the kit! Once you've used it for a bit, shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. Thanks! Tim [e-mail]

[@kevinjtoner]

Glad you are doing this series!! I too have ignored tube flies because it seemed so different from what I was used to. Time to learn!!! Thanks Tim. Regards......Kevin

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind comments, Kevin; it took me long enough! Like most things in life, trying something new can seem extremely difficult, but a little perseverance goes a long way. Trust me...if I can be successful with tube flies, anybody can! Keep me updated on how everything goes for you, and be sure to share any ideas, too. Tim

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words, +Jason Stewart; it's been a lot of fun making this series. Tim

[@stal42]

Really excited to see you start this series as I just started playing around with tube flies and I have been thinking about trying to tie some instead of just ordering online. Also not 100% sure on rigging so I'm really happy you'll be exploring that as well. There's so much to learn about these and I'm glad it's going to be covered! Keep up the great work--the videos are always well thought out, informative, and look good. Thanks in advance!!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words, Heath, and I'm excited to share the information I have. I know that there is a lot of additional info. out there related to tube flies, thus be sure to offer any additional advice after each video. Thanks again! TC

[@petek1pml746]

Tim, great topic to start on. I bought my hmh adaptor years ago when a shop was closing and it sat in a box for years. I just broke it out again and will be following your videos. Thanks for the motivation.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Pete, and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only who is getting into this game late! Tim

[@petek1pml746]

I found some inexpensive tubing as well. So i will be busy this winter.

[@TimCammisa]

pete langevin Ha ha...that's awesome! Do you mind sharing where you got the tubing from? Tim

[@petek1pml746]

I recycle it from cut fiber optic cables from my day job. Saves it from the landfill.

[@billsutherland2128]

Tim, I've been a professor for 30 years, and you have a gift of teaching that's exceptional! You could sell instructional DVDs by partnering with a professional production studio. Thanks, bill Sutherland, Ph.D

[@TimCammisa]

+Bill Sutherland Thanks for those kind words, Bill; that's very kind of you. As of now, I plan on continuing with my "homemade" videos, as my time is precious and this isn't my day job. I really enjoy sharing my passions, and am always thankful that others benefit from them. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Tim

[@marksleeper3752]

Hi Tim I have the HMH spartin vise and I also have the Nor-vise.HmH use to be in Fort Androse in Brunswick Maine ,and is 10 miles from me, they have moved to Bidiford now. so one Christmas I asked my wife for the starter kit and the tube jaws for my HMH vise, that way I could tie on both vises . she bough me some other size mandrel wires that did not come in the kit. she also bought a assortment of tubes and some Daiichi hooks to go with the material, they was very helpful to my wife at HmH to get the right material to tie with. thanks for the post Tim

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Mark, and thanks for sharing your own experiences with tube flies. They are a lot of fun (and effective!), and glad to be able to help. If there's anything you think I missed in this series, please let me know. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@seanmooney3907]

Tim, you can get most of that tubing at a pet shop in the aquarium section. The hybrid is classic for aquariums but there are any number of sizes. I don't know about the micro but you buy in bulk by the foot and it is soooo much cheaper. I have the hmh tool as well and if you loosen that nut enough you can put your tubing or metal bottle tubes directly under the loop. Try it. Can't get any more secure than that. All the best, Sean

[@TimCammisa]

That's exactly the kind of information I wanted to share with others, Sean; thanks! I know that there are other resources out there, and I would like to help make others aware. I should have realized that you would know some alternatives! Thanks again, and I hope all is well. Tim

[@tonysimpson2743]

HMH tool is the best, I use it and found it so easy to use.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Tony, and any additional thoughts on my tube fly series are welcome! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@jasons184]

great video cant wait for the other parts

[@cenobitetoastcrunch8803]

great vid! I live in W. PA. I've had great luck with the tube version of the Grey Ghost. Trout, smallies, and crappie smash em'.

[@TimCammisa]

Nice, Joshua, and thanks for taking a moment to comment! I am in W. PA, too, so you'll have to let me know when you're at a fly tying event. Thanks again, and I hope to hear more from you in some of my other videos. Tim

[@cenobitetoastcrunch8803]

Tim Cammisa : Not sure where in W. PA you're at, but Arrowhead chapter of TU (Buffalo creek area) has a tying and casting class coming up on the tenth. The address and info is on their Facebook page. And I do believe they did a stocking recently for the DHALO area. I hooked into a few on rainbow warriors and small frenchies on a dropper.

[@TimCammisa]

Small world, Joshua, as I've attended many of the Arrowhead events over the years. Sounds like we live pretty close! Feel free to reach out to me via email ([e-mail]), and sorry I couldn't get to their event. Tim

[@stryker2764]

Thanks Tim for this great video series on Tube fly tying! I've been thinking about getting into it this winter, as winters here in Alberta Can. are very long and you can only tie so many trout flies!! Your videos are always top notch and I look forward to learning this new form of tying. Thanks a million! PS: I'm surprised you don't have videos on tying Poppers? Another type of flies I'd like to try... Thanks again... Ann

[@TimCammisa]

Ann, thanks for the kind words, and get into them! Tubes are great flies and work well. It's also nice to try a new technique occasionally, which definitely pushed me. Poppers? Hmmm, I don't tie many, and tend to buy those! ;-) Thanks again for the kind words. Tim

[@kenmartin1211]

Tim, I have some friends who are into this..,..hook line and sinker. I rarely fish steel head and when I do its simple egg patterns ... I do have some beginners input on these tube flies... When a fly is tied as perfect as it gets sometimes the pattern is not displayed or presented properly due to the knot tied from tippet to fly... These however are as in line as it gets... No knot problems would ruin your presentation,... I have to ask if they can be tied smaller to patterns for if they can I would grab that beginners kit and enter into yet another lost world... Your tutorial was great as always...Thank You!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Ken, especially related to the knots tied. One of the later parts will be discussing this, which does have an impact on the presentation. Small sizes are possible and utilized by many; check back for the later videos and see if you're interested. "Another lost world"...seems so appropriate! Thanks again! Tim

[@TimCammisa]

Sent to me from Patricia; thanks for the comments, as you have some great recommendations for others! Her thoughts include: Hi Tim: Excellent videos, thank you. About two weeks go I went to my local fly shop and I had my "hardware" as I call it, also known as the HMH Tube Fly Tool. I was ready to tie salmon/steelhead flies. The instructor had another system, so I thought I would share this other system with you. The system is from the www.prosportfisher.com company. So I removed my hardware and used the new system. The difference was there were no mandrels to tighten and use at all. --the system uses a Pro Flexineedle, and this needle is threaded into pre manufactured plastic tubes. One places narrow part of the Flexineedle into the plastic tube to start. --one must also secure the flat part of the same needle into the vice, which holds the plastic tube. The tube can be cut as well, preferably I cut any tube with a razor blade. --the company also has a starter kit. The needle was given to me, as a gift, and it is $17.00 retail !! I am used to the HMH and will not switch, and have accumulated a nice line of plastic, copper and aluminum tubes. I keep my small items in Altoids tins usually found at the check out in supermarkets. Lastly, try the Fish Skull system - www.flymenfishingcompany.org. I purchased supplies from them when they had a booth at the show. All their stuff is organized in one lock bag. The weighted heads for streamer flies are pushed on, at the eye of the hook. The finished flies are beautiful and deadly. Be well, Pat

[@simonnewton122]

This looks terrific 😀😀😀😀

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks, Simon! TC

[@peterkilfoyle2756]

Have you got the mandrill back to front in this video ?

[@TimCammisa]

Peter, I apologize for the delay. Re: the mandrill, shoot me an email and we can talk more about it: [e-mail] Thanks! Tim

[@rabbithole_flies]

great video Tim! i have the starter tube fly tool, made a fly but had no idea what to do next with it! even thou theres directions 😂

[@TimCammisa]

You got it, Patricia, and by the looks of Facebook, you know how to tie these patterns!! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@DaveFer]

Hey Tim, great video. Thank you for making it. I will be buying the kit you suggested but will also try the q-tips. hahaha One point of confusion I have is around the tube fly pulling away from the fish biting the hook. What guarantees that the tube fly will pull away from the hook? Is this a standard, expected feature of tube flies? Everyone seems to mention this as an advantage of tube flies.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Dave, and you'll have to let me know how it works for you. Tube flies will "pull away" from the hook depending on the size tube and hook eye. As a fish takes, the hook is pulled on, and there is just a slight connection between it and the tube, hence the release. Less materials are damaged through the process. Thanks for taking a moment to comment, and good luck! Tim

[@robertadams3675]

Great video Tim I started tying tube flies about 4 months ago I started with a company called pro tube I got a starter kit they sell there is a few videos on KZbin if you haven't seen any of them you should check it out they are pretty cool

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the positive comments, Robert, especially your experience with "Pro Tubes." From what I understand, many use them, especially because they offer tubes with the hook holders built right in. Thanks again for the comments, and for sharing this information with others. Tim

[@ryankeene2956]

Great watch just in time for those fall steelhead !

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comment, Ryan; now let's hope there are a BUNCH of those steelhead this year. Tim

[@stephenwelham]

Tim re cone heads one way of doing this is the cone heads lose on your leaders method 2 remove the fly cut short section of tubing then cut 2 small pieces of Junction tubing then put the small piece of Junction tubing on the small piece of tubing a simply put either a cone head or turbo head brass or plastic then put the small piece of Junction tubing on the other end of the tube to lock your choice of cones etc you then have a removeable weight on one of the tube be sure to have a slightly longer to enable you to fix the weight to the tube fly and remove it for an unweighted tube fly hope this helps

[@TimCammisa]

Really great idea, Stephen, and thanks for sharing with me and others! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@marksleeper3752]

Tim I found that a friend on another sight uses water balloon stems for tube flys

[@TimCammisa]

Do you mind sharing a link to the site, Mark? Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@stephenwelham]

try canadian tube fly company

[@TimCammisa]

+Stephen welham Thanks for mentioning them, Stephen. Tim

[@opethian2k2]

Thanks a lot Tim for this awesome serie. You really got me when talking about about how you can compose the fly with 2 separates parts and mix & match everything. there's so many pattern that look alike and just choosing the butt section color you need mean a lot less tying for me for the same amount of possibilities.. thanks for bringing that info up :) .. btw have you heard of swing tube? i caught this yesterday on flytying.eu and the main difference is that you place the cap on the hook eye and the tube is free on the leader, creating a lot more movement. got this info in this youtube livestream: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ3Zh4Oga9-BmZY . Also here's the part he's talking about: www.fishingmegastore.com/propellerfly-swing-tubes~14570.html

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome and glad you find tube flies as interesting as me! The possibilities are just way too many, so I hope you're a decisive person or else you'll never stop tying variations. Ha ha! I don't know about swing flies, and just briefly went through the video. What is the time during the video where he discusses them? Thanks for mentioning those and thank you for taking a moment to comment. Tim

[@opethian2k2]

Tim Cammisa Hello Tim he talk about swim tube from around 26:00 to 30:30

[@TimCammisa]

Ah, I understand now! I haven't used them, but like the idea (especially for protecting knots). Thanks for getting back to me...