Over the past two months, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions has dedicated six “One-Minute Tying Tips” videos to methods of creating tube flies. So this week’s how-to tying video features a pattern that will allow you to put these new skills to work. Tim shows you how to prepare the tube and attach it to the mandrel clamped in the vise jaws. If you aren’t familiar with these mandrels, watch Tim’s short video on the subject.
Next, it’s time to tie the pattern on the tube, and as usual, Tim offers plenty of tips to make that process easier and more efficient. He shows you how to prepare the feathers and to tie them in securely, as well as how to finish the tube so it won’t have any sharp edges that could cut your tippet. Finally, Tim shows you how to rig the fly for fishing.
If you don’t want to create a tube fly, you can simply tie the pattern on a 6X-long streamer hook. But Tim does take a moment to explain why he thinks the tube is a better option.
Little Blue Heron Fly
Hook (for non-tube version): 6X-long streamer hook (here, a Lightning Strike ST5), size 8.
Tube: Rigid plastic tube, 3/32-inch by 1.20 inches.
Thread: Black, 6/0 or 140-denier.
Adhesive #1: Superglue (here, Fly Tyers Z-Ment).
Rear body: Silver Sparkle Braid.
Adhesive #2: Superglue (here, Fly Tyers Z-Ment).
Wing: 2 or 3 dyed-blue mallard flank feathers.
Collar: Light-brown Coq de Leon feather.
Head: Black tying thread.
Adhesive #3: Head cement.
Tools: Lighter, bodkin, tube-fly mandrel, long-nozzle bobbin, hackle pliers, large whip-finisher, cauterizing tool.
Credit: Source link
