Published Aug 25. 2015 - 8 years ago
Updated or edited Feb 27. 2019

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.

Comments

Greetings Martin and...

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

Martin Joergensen's picture

Paul, I never tie...

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

Thanks Martin for th...

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

Martin Joergensen's picture

Michael, I mount ...

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

Martin,in using the ...

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