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SuperD
06-28-2014, 10:10 PM
After I jumped on the Kokanee fly bandwagon with such great results, I decided to try and teach myself how to tie them. First step was to watch a bunch of YouTube videos on how to lay the thread and tie some finish knots.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/flyknot_zpsd64be66c.jpg

Here I'm trying to wrap some material.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/tinsel4_zps9a19fac4.jpg

First one, doesn't look too bad for a rookie.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/tinsel2_zpsd2bb0adb.jpg

Now I've got to put another order together for all the other colors in the rainbow. tooexcited laugh hyst

DRM
06-28-2014, 11:55 PM
Super D,
What are you using to attach the thread to ? looks like some sort of straw to me. Anyhow, Im starting to experiment with the same thing, other than I ordered the plastic cones that go inside the hoochies to try and tie the thread to. will see how it goes.

SuperD
06-29-2014, 12:54 AM
I tied a few to the hoochie cones but not real happy with the fat head look. I'm tying my on ball point pen tube.

H2Oguy
06-29-2014, 10:48 AM
I tie mine on coffee straws.

SuperD
06-29-2014, 11:40 AM
I tie mine on coffee straws.
All the coffee straws I've seen are dual sippy straws. Do you have some that are single tube?

dragonfly
06-29-2014, 11:56 AM
good job Dave, you have motivated me to try my hand at it, but because most of the kokanee we fish for are in the 11'-13' range we need a smaller presentation. so I thought, our shop generates a bunch of wd-40 straws they are smaller in diameter and red. I will try to flair the end a little to help the skirt from slipping off easily, pink is one of the lakes colors of choice so I will start with that and see how they work. dfly

SuperD
06-29-2014, 12:16 PM
All trimmed up, these are approx. 1 1/2" long and catch fish in your size range with no problems at all.

SilverBullets
06-29-2014, 12:37 PM
Dave... have you tried these?
http://www.fishermanshack.net/images/products/5794.JPG

H2Oguy
06-29-2014, 12:38 PM
I looked in all the craft stores to come up with something to tie them on. I also thought of WD-40 tubes but how to get them. I went to Home Depot and they actually took one off a can for me to try. Then they thought of their coffee straws and went and got some some for me from where they make coffee for the contractors. They are red and white striped and single tubes and fairly strong.

SuperD
06-29-2014, 12:54 PM
Dave... have you tried these?
http://www.fishermanshack.net/images/products/5794.JPG

See reply #3. But I've only tried them in one direction, maybe try one turned the opposite direction.

BAGGEDLB7
06-29-2014, 07:00 PM
[QUOTE=SilverBullets;52369]Dave... have you tried these?
http://www.fishermanshack.net/images/products/5794.JPG[/QUOTE

What are these called and were do you get them? I have only been able to find big ones.
I also barrowed some stir straws from work to try they seem stout but we will see.

SilverBullets
06-29-2014, 09:06 PM
[QUOTE=SilverBullets;52369]Dave... have you tried these?
http://www.fishermanshack.net/images/products/5794.JPG[/QUOTE

What are these called and were do you get them? I have only been able to find big ones.
I also barrowed some stir straws from work to try they seem stout but we will see.

They come on the trout apex's i retie for koke fishing and are used as a spacer between the lure and hook. The nice thing about them is they have excellent glow quality and are small enough to be used inside hoochies. Some manufacturer's use clear ones for this purpose (might be RMT?) Google fisherman's shack glo-n-dark-hoochie-head-support-hook-spacer-insert.

wrightwyoming
06-29-2014, 09:18 PM
Go to Randy Beavis FaceBook page and just purchase them from him. Lot of different patterns and will custom tie trolling flies to your specs.

SuperD
06-29-2014, 09:57 PM
Go to Randy Beavis FaceBook page and just purchase them from him. Lot of different patterns and will custom tie trolling flies to your specs.

Seriously?

Robbo
06-29-2014, 11:21 PM
The nylon thingy's shown above are actually the female components for control surfaces of Radio control airplanes (my other hobby) these nylon parts are called "ball joints" .....i.e. Google "Dubro" RC Aircraft parts, you'll find them there.

In addition, the beautiful pink kokanee flys shown above made with the hollow straw-like bodies are whats known amongst fly fishermen as "Tube Flys" any good fly fishing store will have these short tubes in stock and the special tube adapter for tying them that fits in the jaws of most fly vices.

Hope this helps

Rob

wrightwyoming
06-29-2014, 11:27 PM
yes, very seriously. You will spend a small fortune chasing materials, time involved, and needless trial and error. components to make a truly beautiful fly are expensive and time consuming.

SuperD
06-30-2014, 12:42 AM
wrightwyoming, or Randy, this is the tackle craft forum and we could spend a small fortune learning a new and satisfying craft or spend a fortune on your flies. I'm sure that some less motivated will buy your flies while some of us will chose to make our own stuff. Heck, someone might even buy one of your over priced flies just to see how they can make it themselves for less money.

BAGGEDLB7
06-30-2014, 12:47 AM
Thanks for the info guys.

wrightwyoming
06-30-2014, 07:50 AM
Sorry, didn't realize you where so sensitive. Now I've made you mad. Sorry.

Kokaholic
06-30-2014, 09:40 AM
. Heck, someone might even buy one of your over priced flies just to see how they can make it themselves for less money.

I thought we were supposed to be supportive of one another around here. Not chastise others about what they charge.

dragonfly
06-30-2014, 09:41 AM
WW sometimes I will buy a product if it looks promising, especially if it is from a small business to try it out and help some one get started. I can make most anything I need or use for fishing or any thing else for that mater, and it is not always the cheapest but it is what I want, built the way I want. lets face it if we were into saving money we would just go to the store and buy our fish, way cheaper! I did build some smaller flies last night with the help from Daves instructions using the smaller carb clean straws they are a little smaller than the new wd-40 straws and using some heat and an awl flared the hook end to help the skirt from sliding off plus it gave the skirt a little flair and all I had was purple nail polish to paint the string and bond the thread and they came out pretty good, so I will be trying them at greenpeter next week to see how they work and hold up. dfly

wrightwyoming
06-30-2014, 12:26 PM
I guess I never thought my trolling flies were over priced at $5 and $6 . Given the quality of the materials and time involved I thought it was a break even deal. Just trying to give trout and Kokanee fisherman another option that is very productive. Not looking to make any money on these flies, just enough to replace materials.

SuperD
06-30-2014, 01:48 PM
My mistake for just not deleting your first post as we don't self promote for profit here. Good luck in your endeavors.

Physion
06-30-2014, 10:58 PM
Ok, I'll admit to a lack of understanding. What is the advantage of tying these on a tube as opposed to tying them directly on the hook as most flies are tied? Can someone enlighten me? I found some coffee stirrers and am tying some, but I don't see why they'll be better than just tying to a hook.

Torres
06-30-2014, 11:24 PM
yes, very seriously. You will spend a small fortune chasing materials, time involved, and needless trial and error. components to make a truly beautiful fly are expensive and time consuming.
laugh hyst
And I have some beachfront property in the Mojave I can sell to you.

Are you talking about Atlantic Salmon or Kokanee patterns here?

With a vise grip, some materials, some You Tube videos, and a little patience, you can be as creative as you like and the fish won't give a darn :).

But if money is no problem and you're in a hurry, I'm sure WW would love to tie up some for you for a price...

Heck I'll tie them up for you with my hands! They might look ugly but they'll catch fish... :)

dragonfly
06-30-2014, 11:32 PM
the main thing with kokanee is we don't want to give them any leverage, that is why every thing from the simple wedding rings to the apex is rigged in a way they can shake the parts away with only the hooks staying in the mouth with nothing to twist against to help dislodge the hooks. and most of us use the dbl. hook setup, one for the mouth and the other usually catches the gill plate. if you tie to the hook you would need a longer single hook which offers more leverage and a better chance the fish will use it to pry the hook out of it's mouth. just my thoughts, others may very. dfly

Torres
06-30-2014, 11:36 PM
Ok, I'll admit to a lack of understanding. What is the advantage of tying these on a tube as opposed to tying them directly on the hook as most flies are tied? Can someone enlighten me? I found some coffee stirrers and am tying some, but I don't see why they'll be better than just tying to a hook.

Physion,

Some of us anglers that like to flyfish, especially when chasing steelhead, have found that tying larger patterns (google steelhead intruders) on tubes sliding on the line tied to an octopus hook, is easier than using long shanked hooks, and when the fish hits the fly and hooks it's self, the fly slides on the line and lasts longer because it's less likely to be chewed up by the fish.

Physion
07-01-2014, 02:40 PM
After making a few, I certainly agree they are easier to tie on a larger tube. Now if they will catch fish as well as the ones I've been using, I'll be a happy camper. I get to try them out on Wednesday and Thursday.

Robbo
07-01-2014, 03:20 PM
Ok, I'll admit to a lack of understanding. What is the advantage of tying these on a tube as opposed to tying them directly on the hook as most flies are tied? Can someone enlighten me? I found some coffee stirrers and am tying some, but I don't see why they'll be better than just tying to a hook.

The following is not my own writing I'm just paraphrasing from another source but

"Tube flies have been used in Europe for some years now mainly for Steelhead and salmon fishing and have become quite popular in Alaska, Washinton state, Oregon, and BC...many use them as bucktails for salmon in the saltchuck.

Some advantages are the tube and attached fly body will slide up the line away from the hook when bitten, this means the body of the fly will last longer.

You also have more control over fly weight as you can purchase tubes made from aluminum, stainless steel and copper which gives you the option to have same fly bodies with different weights.....The tubes also come in multiple colors

There are now tubes available called bottle tubes that allow you to weight the flies at just the hook bend end......You'll find the tubes at various good fly shops throughout your area they are not new and in fact have been available for some years...Remember Google and Youtube are your friends with availability and instructional videos on how to tie Tube flys.

I understand the posting of direct links is verboten here so I wont direct you to the `Canadian tube fly`site (Mods please accept apologies and delete if not allowable) 101ok101

stan55
07-03-2014, 09:15 PM
Been tying tube flies for some time now. The advantages are exactly as described. Ball point pen tubes, coffee straws, QTips (break off the cotton ) all work. Spend a little extra for tubes made specifically for flies and you can get all sorts of sparkly colors. As far as materials, marabou has worked best for me - especially wrapped (palmered for you fly tyers) but Flashabou and zonker styles are the ticket some days. I have been tying up some articulated smaller versions of Intruder flies (used for salmon) on streamer hooks with a trailer hook. We'll see how they work. I must have a hundred flies laying around. Gets very addictive. So many materials, so many colors. Also tied some tinsel skirts on tubes to put inside hoochies - easy way to add some more flash or glow depending. I also have tied up some larger trolling flies they use in the Great Lakes for lakers to try out. Don't think the big lakers will chase them down but should pick up the pups and larger bows.

stan55
07-06-2014, 02:15 PM
74637464 Some examples of what I have tied. The cones help keep the marabou fluffed. Don't add much weight but you can cast them with a fly rod.

SuperD
07-06-2014, 04:40 PM
Stan,
Nice work! Those look multi-species fishy!!! thumbsup signfishin

DRM
07-06-2014, 07:02 PM
OK, what program do we need to install in order to see the pictures.

SuperD
07-06-2014, 07:20 PM
OK, what program do we need to install in order to see the pictures.
I think some folks have trouble seeing that form of photo attachment. I hosted them and posted below:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/kokefly1_zpsfd4c0b22.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/kokefly2_zps3de182a8.jpg

SuperD
07-06-2014, 09:21 PM
Went with my 3 favorite Koke colors and think I might have a fish catcher with this one.

Pink, purple & chartreuse:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/dave_rce1/3colorfly_zps11693d2c.jpg

Robbo
07-06-2014, 09:27 PM
Wow...nice work, both you guys.

smokepoles
07-06-2014, 09:40 PM
Hey, those are all in good fun, and I'll bet that they will catch with the best of them! Thanks for sharing.

clawman
07-07-2014, 12:16 AM
WD 40 spray tubes

SuperD
07-07-2014, 02:43 PM
WD 40 spray tubes

http://finaddicts.us/smf/forums/Smileys/popos/needpics.gif

dragonfly
07-07-2014, 10:05 PM
clawman that is what I have been using. the pen tubes are .115 the new wd- 40 straws are .110 and the old ones are .085 quit a bit smaller than the pens
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/856/0cptx.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/ns0cptxj)
this is how I started out, first the fixens
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/849/a0gj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nla0gjj)
now I scored on the straws I was talking to my chemical supplier from mount hood chemical about tying tube flies and he said hold on and walked out to his car and came back with a whole pack of the old style straws that they use in the mfg of there products.
now the first thing I did was flair the end so I don't have to worry about the skirt slipping off
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/823/hne1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/mvhne1j)
now I gathered up the pink and some bling and tied it to the tube using black Kevlar thread
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/849/m8hv.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nlm8hvj)
the wrapped and finished with some half hitches
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/819/zmv47.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/mrzmv47j)
then cut off the excess tube
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/840/0quj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nc0qujj)
now ready for the hooks I like the sickle hooks, I use a red #2 forward and a black #4 for the stinger
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/853/hm8e.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nphm8ej)
now push the leader through and almost ready to fish
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/841/3h58.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nd3h58j)
because of picture limits I didn't show I used black finger nail polish and paint the thread to help bond the threads and keep it from unraveling now you can add a bead and what ever spinner you want if you want to go that way. hope this helps they are pretty fast to make and you can do it in the boat as you are fishing. dfly

SuperD
07-07-2014, 10:22 PM
Shawn,
Unlike other fish that hit lures like an inhale, the Kokes seem to swipe at these. You will get a lot of hits but not all the hooks ups you should the way the hooks are buried in the fly. Try running the internal part of your tube long so that the hooks extend.

dragonfly
07-07-2014, 11:42 PM
thanx Dave, it does look short I usually use beads when setting up hoochies but I like the flair so instead of making the tube long or adding beads I am going to add a short section of tube instead
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/841/a84td.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nda84tdj)
that way I still have the flex so no leverage and it puts it further back
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/819/9p4p.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/mr9p4pj)
I will try these out at Greenpeter this week to see how they work. dfly

SuperD
07-08-2014, 12:26 AM
I love that fluorescent pink. Where did you pick that up at?

dragonfly
07-08-2014, 08:20 AM
Dave, I got it at fishermans marine supply it wasn't in with the flash and decals but in with the fly tying supplies it is called FLUORO FIBRE part # hot pink ff16 it comes in a lot of hot colors and is finer than the regular flash. here's some examples. http://shop.charliesflybox.com/Fluoro-Fiber-Fluoro-Fiber.htm . dfly

DLM
07-08-2014, 11:10 AM
Instead of the tube you may want to use rubber bobber stops so you can adjust the hook setback as needed.

platypus
09-05-2014, 06:53 PM
--my mistake just answered a question from page 1 then saw several answers on page 2
--we have been using tube flies here for years
--you can purchase tube fly vise or tube fly vise attatchment what will assist you in tying them.

troutfisher
11-24-2014, 03:09 PM
You guys inspired me to give this a shot. Added a rubber bobber stop behind the tube as DLM suggested. Excited to see how these fish for me this Spring. 7716
http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7717&d=1416860510
http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7718&d=1416884964

chukardave1
11-25-2014, 12:26 PM
Those should catch. We also had some good action on a yellow/orange fly tied that way

downriggeral
11-30-2014, 03:22 AM
The commercially hand tied flies we use with great success on Lake Roosevelt are $5 to 6 each. No made in China stuff there. Quality hooks, great material and labor. Lets say a couple of bucks material and $3 labor. You might tie 10 to twelve an hour so that's say $35 an hour. Not too many craftsman only charging $35 an hour these days.

Tying your own is definitely a labor of love and very satisfying; if you have the time, skills and have invested in an array of materials. thumbsup

downriggeral
11-30-2014, 03:30 AM
OOPS I chimed in on the wrong page too. Must be late.... Nice looking flies you all tied up. I'll have to give tube flies a whirl at lake Roosevelt and then this spring when the kokanee lakes heat up (ice off). Thanks for sharing. One of the neat things about this site is the willingness to share info. Makes the experiment loads of fun and reduces the food fish cost to less than a hundred bucks a pound!

Tight lines - Alan

fishingmom
01-01-2016, 10:41 AM
30 minutes from the clearwater and steelhead but for now my sled is staying in the shed with all the de-icer on highway,,,so thinking kokanee and put together this kokanee trolling fly using cotton candy dyed rabbit strip attached to a shortened ribbed plastic body, for a collar cut the head from a hootchie and glued it on...

SuperD
01-01-2016, 11:23 AM
fishingmom, I don't know if you named it yet but it looks great When I first saw it, I pictured a chicken laying eggs, gotta figure out how to work that into a name. Nicely done!

downriggeral
01-01-2016, 12:32 PM
Very nice looking fly fishingmom. It's always fun to catch fish on the stuff we create. I hate deicer but I get why they use it. I have a full width mud flap mounted on the hitch stinger to shed sand and gravel in the winter months; really helps keep the crud off the boat.

SuperD I can hear the hens clucking now..............Happy New Year!

fishingmom
01-01-2016, 05:16 PM
hadnt considered a name, will wait and see what you come up with on the chicken thing.....using deicer as an excuse😊just a little too cold to get excited about loading up and heading to the river!!

Twanger
03-05-2019, 05:53 PM
Received my tube fly material today from Canadian Tube Fly, had to sit at the bench and try them out. Have read all there is on here about making flies and watched a ton on Youtube.. Here is the very first creation off the bench, lol, I will definitely have to keep practicing...
957795789579

SuperDaveMT
03-08-2019, 04:17 PM
One thing I've learned through experience is that while fuller flies look better to my eye, the kokes seem to prefer sparser flies. Really sparse. I use hair, rubber leg material, flash a boo, krystal flash separately or in combination, but not that many strands total per fly.

Twanger
03-09-2019, 10:21 AM
Thanks SD, can you guys throw up a few more pictures of your tube flies, i got a few more weeks of trying to nail this down before the hardwater is gone.
Thanks