Published Aug 5. 2007 - 16 years ago
Updated or edited Apr 13. 2018

Convertible tubes

Tube fly tyer Tony Pagliei explains his Convertible Tube Flies - a modular system that combines a set of tube tied front parts and a set of dressed hooks into as many different flies as you can imagine in a versatile, modular system.

6 by 3 Convertible Tube System

They're two part flies which consist of "heads/tubes" and "tails/hooks" that can be interchanged to create "mix and match" color and profile combinations allowing the modern fly fisher the ability to adapt to any fishing situation! This technique of tying additional feathers and fur to your trailing hook is not new to the world of tube flies, several tube fly tiers from around the world have used this idea for years but no one has incorporated a complete component concept like your truly!

For example, a woolly bugger/egg sucking leech styled tube fly that has a marabou dressed tail can be transformed into an eelworm style fly by adding a long hackle dressed trailing hook.
Now, factor in the front half of the tube "The Head" which can be tied in several colors, styles and sinking rates then add a variety of dressed trailing hooks "The Tail", put these combo's together and you've designed a convertible tube fly! The combinations can be endless.

You will never again be left without the right fly in your box to match the food source or fishing condition at hand. There will also be more room in your vest because you can eliminate half of the fly boxes with this new tube fly concept. This equates to less time tying flies at the vise and more time on the water catching fish. And, watch the number of hook-ups increase as well! For more information about convertible tube flies, log onto www.tubeflies.com. (Editor's note: the site is unfortunately dead)

Bugger Convertible tube fly

ESL Convertible tube fly

ESL Egg Sucking Leech (convertible tube fly)
Pattern type: 
Tube fly
Originator: 
Tony Pagliei
Materials: 
Tubing
HMH Custom 1 1/2 inch blank with black junction tubing
Thread
Gudebrod 3/0 Black
Rear Hackle
Natural black rooster saddle hackle
Main Hackle
Natural black rooster saddle hackle (palmered)
Body
Black cactus chenille
Hackle Collar
Grizzly dyed Purple hen saddle hackle
Head
Sun Orange 7 mm Jig Bead
Trailing Hook #1
Mustad 60500BLN # 4-8
Tail
(4) Natural black saddle hackles
Trailing Hook #2
Mustad 60500BLN # 4-8
Skill level/difficulty: 
Medium
Instruction: 

Tony with a steelhead -
Tony with a bass -
Tony with a chinook -
Tony Pagliei with fish caught on Convertible Flies
Tony Pagliei

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Comments

i have not yet seen ...

i have not yet seen any fly usefull for argentinian patagonia. Do you know something really great for landlocked salmon

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