Tying flies on two tubes at once - Dual Tube Phlyz - A new method for tying huge flies for striped bass - Global FlyFisher

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Dual Tube Phlyz

Published Aug 1st 2007

A new method for tying huge flies for striped bass

By Pete Gray

Pete Grays huge Tube Phlyz
Pete Gray
Pete Gray

DualTubeHerringPhlyz... my very own... PharSidePhlyz developed and produced here at Area61! There aren't too many phly guyz in these parts who have opted for this methodology. Clousers, Deep sand eel variations, and Deceivers reign supreme as does sinking and intermediate lines and the soup dejour... they have a place in the big scheme of things!

I'm not a big fan of the standard tubular classics... granted, they serve their purpose and catch picky river preditors... I was more motivated to combine flat wing/deceiver/hollow tie/whatever to my particular tastes and applications and isn't that what innovative tying is all about anyway!?

In an effort to entice larger striped muggers (stripers) during the spring herring run here on Cape Cod when Big Girlz venture back into the shallow estuaries to the herring runs, I started tying 8-12+ inches herring flyz...





  
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Dual tube system - Tie the first part of the fly on the longer, upper tube, add the lower and shorter tube (with junction tube) and finish the fly over both.
Dual tube system
Martin Joergensen
 
The junction tube seated at the end of the body tube had the hook running too far back for my liking, so after some R&D at my DynaKing and numerous visits to the fly drowning pool (back porch hot tub) I developed some promising prototypes of my own design and notion.
Larger BigEyed epoxy heads proved effective as did the slightly lighter but esthetically pleasing Jungle Cockeyed versions.

With the incorporation of my tandem junction tube I was able to move the centre of gravity forward for a more natural and enticing appearance and, since the muggers seemed to prefer assaulting head on, my hook up rate improved as well.

More tubed and untubed Pete Gray Phlyz
Pete Gray



  
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Pete Gray\'s Squid Tubez - Squids are perfect for tying on tubes. You want size and volume without weight, which is easy to obtain on a large diameter plastic tube. The middle fly is a tube fly, the two others are tied on hooks.
Pete Gray's Squid Tubez
Pete Gray
 
I don't like using these when the toothy Blues appear out in deeper waters because of the shredding that goes on. Older tired soldiers get sacrificed now and then but the Blues attack from the sides trying to cut the fly in half. Trailer hooks might help but that's not my thing. I like horizontal Stripes best!

I prefer heavier 10-11 weight gear overlined with floating lines. Casts are not long and the drifts are key with the undulating motion of the long hackles that brings out the beast and 6 feet of 20 lbs. flourocarbon simplifies the basic presentation! Tapers are optional and effective for longer casts.

My goal is to "insinuate" movement and mass without trying to throw heavy phur n' pheater look-a-likes. For my efforts, the DualTube is spot on with the hook up front.

Sofarsogood!



More on tube flies


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User comments
From: Uncle Barry · talonaurora·at·dodo.com.au  Link
Submitted February 15th 2008

Good evening Pete,
I don't know how to express myself enough,
Your Double Tube idea is perfect........ I think describes it best.
Of all the items on this site, to me this is it !
Your double tube has changed my ideas and thinking for both the salt and the freshwater for ever.

So simple, its been there all the time, but I never saw it.
And as a bonus the fly will ride vertical always.

Many thanks again for changing my fly World.
Kind regards,
UB


From: Pete Gray · area61·at·verizon.net  Link
Submitted August 9th 2007

The example shown by Martin captures my tandem application intent nicely...
A minor suggestion would be to shorten the lower tube in order to bring the hook junction (and centre of gravity) as far forward as possible.
Most of my lower junction tubes are only 3/8"-1/2" long with just enough trailing soft tube to properly secure the hook.
Besides the thread wraps, I'll use some zap-a-gap or epoxy to weld things together and then apply the phinal phur n' pheathers and eyez to complete the desired "interpretation".
Less is more...Sparse is good...The intent is NOT to create hampsters or stuffed animals but to present an "insinuation" of shape and movement...
The long flowing material will undulate with the slightest currents during a dead drift (stay just tight enough to detect an assault)...an occassional irratic strip can also provoke a mugging...
Time onthewater is the best teacher and a good prozac alternative!


From: Pete Gray · area61·at·verizon.net  Link
Submitted August 3rd 2007

re: that chair...google "air chair"...I've got a knock-off...When I say I'm just hangin' around, I really am! TWO (2) thumbs up!

re: CRAP!!!!..."Where was I"...sorry, "just hangin' around!" Too bad I missed the cut...I posted my DualTube on flyfishingforum a few years ago and posted here sometime last August...maybe I'll make "Tubez part Deux, the Next Generation"
Go figure!?


From: Bob Abrams · icepeep·at·aol.com  Link
Submitted August 2nd 2007

Tell us about that chair.


From: Bob Kenly · rkenly·at·centurytel.net  Link
Submitted August 1st 2007

CRAP !!!!! where were you when I was putting my book "Tube Flies Two:Evalution" together, I just gotta send this to my Neurosurgeon who fishes Stripers in your neck of the World. WELL DONE


Comment to an image
From: michael · michael_f·at·usa.net  Link
Submitted March 14th 2010

Greetings Martin and Paul, if I might add to the thread I typically tie of copper tubes lightweight and heavy and would agree with Martin its a task casting it all day with a heavy line, I fish for Bass and other tidewater fish in the Washington DC area and find using a fast sink tip line maybe less than 200 grains does the trick, most of patterns or based on worms, baitfish, lizards, and I do tie a copper tubed spinnerbait fly, if you like to see one of those I'd be glad to share


GFF staff comment
Comment to an image
From: Martin Joergensen · martin·at·globalflyfisher.com  Link
Submitted March 14th 2010

Paul,

I never tied these flies on heavy tubes, but I guess that using copper or aluminum would be an option. Personally I'd go for weight in the lower tube the main reason being that the size of these flies would mean adding a lot of weight using a full length copper tube. I also think the concentrated weight in the front of the fly would induce a nice, diving motion.

I don't think the fly would turn upside down no matter what you did with weight, because the wing on the top of the fly would keep it upright anyway. But you'd have to test this yourself.

And speaking of weighted flies: I personally prefer a heavy line to a heavy fly - especially in this weight class. I hate casting both, but a heavy line and a light fly seems to be more manegable than the opposite.

PS: Pete Gray who originated these flies, sent me a new set of pictures showing how to tie them, and I think a whole new article on the subject will find it's way to the site soon.

Martin


Comment to an image
From: Paul MacDonald · paulrita2001·at·yahoo.com  Link
Submitted March 14th 2010

Thanks Martin for the great fly designs over the years. You have caught a lot of fish for me!
Now my question. I fish stripers in a heavy current where it is hard to get a fly down.
Have you ever used a copper tube as the long tube? It might be necessary to change
something as the fly would ride upside down.
Thanks
Paul


GFF staff comment
Comment to an image
From: Martin Joergensen · martin·at·globalflyfisher.com  Link
Submitted February 5th 2010

Michael,

I mount the junction tube before I tie, and simply join the tubes using the force of the thread. This pinches part of the junction tube between the two tubes, and gives a very durable fly, where you can still slip a hook inside the soft tube, which extends the lower tube. I have never needed epoxy. The thread and materials alone seem to hold the tubes together very well.

Martin


Comment to an image
From: michael · michael_f·at·usa.net  Link
Submitted February 5th 2010

Martin,in using the junction tube isn't that for the hook? and you diagam other than tying the fly on that last length of both tubes how else are you joining them? I use a double tube system where I see 5 min epox to join, then finish the fly. I fish or Bass and they always hit the head of the fly

what are your thoughts


Comment to an image
From: ali:) · sparklepeach·at·hotmail.com  Link
Submitted December 8th 2012

hello..i am interested in a few of your large pink squids...what is the price range...ali:)


Comment to an image
From: Clyde E. Pullen · cepullen·at·hotmail.com  Link
Submitted November 9th 2007

I agree with Peter... great fly. Looks simuliar to a Deciever in color and size but on a TUBE... Way to go. Could you post the pattern? How do you fish it?
In His Love,
Clyde

Keep your line wet.


Comment to an image
From: Peter Janes · peaair·at·hotmail.com  Link
Submitted November 6th 2007

This fly is fantastic for striped bass.....It is an awesome looking fly..



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