Modern ‘Spins’ on Classic Flies

Tying Dee Style flies on tubes. How to tie the yellow eagle tube fly. — *Old school fly, new school tie. Photos: Stuart Foxall.*

Last week professional fly designer, Stuart Foxall, shared with us a brief background on two classic styles of flies still used today for salmon and steelhead – Spey and Dee style flies. We thought it was pretty darn interesting, and judging by some of your comments, you did too!

So, today Stu is back with a great way to incorporate these classic patterns into a modern design – On tubes!

The Yellow Eagle Tube – Tying Instructions

Last week we looked at some classic Spey and Dee style fly patterns. Now, many of us love the classic look and shape of these flies, but perhaps many of us can’t quite see how they would work on our local fisheries. After all, the larger the hook, the more likely the hook hold will give after a prolonged fight, as well as more potential damage to the fish.

So what to do? Tie them on tubes! That way we can still use those super sharp, fish friendly, smaller hooks that are more common nowadays.

Any classic style pattern can be used, but today we are going to be tying another extension of a Dee style pattern called “Eagles” that traditionally incorporated the lovely fluffy feathers from an eagle’s legs. The version below is known as the “Yellow Eagle,” and here’s how to tie it.