Fly Tying: Flashy Tube Bandit

The month of August in Alaska is a special time of year. The salmon have made their way through the rivers and have begun their prescribed order to spawn much to the delight of the eager Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Fly Anglers alike.

While egg patterns tempt trout during this time, it is still very common for a trout to chase a mouse, nymph, dry fly, and even sculpin, either out of instinct or sheer desire for something different. We’ve all know the feeling…steak is awesome, but sometimes you want chicken. Show them something different, ’cause different can be fun. So during the month of August, it would behoove you to fill your fly box with alternative flies.

The beauty behind this pattern is its versatility. Colors, ginger and red, gold and black, or olive and black work well. You can also tie them articulated, stinger hook, and with tubes, like this pattern. We prefer the tube version because it’s light and easy to cast. In addition, tubes allow for your favorite short-shanked hook or use a variety of hook guide colors and styles.

We realize it’s only March, but as the saying goes, “you gotta dig the well before you get thirsty. ” We hope you enjoy.

Originator: unknown

Tied by Mike Brown, Owner of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska.

Material List:

Tube: Pro Sport Fisher Nano Tube
Tail: Olive Variant Zonker Rabbit
Rear Body: Olive Variant Cross Cut Rabbit
Mid Body: Black Cross Cut Rabbit w/Copper UV Polar Chenille
Front Collar: Olive Variant Cross Cut Rabbit
Cone: Pro Sport Fisher Gold Large
Hook Guide: Pro Sport Fisher Black Large
Hook: Short Shank Tube Hook, I like the OPST Sz 2 Swing Hook

Step 1. First, pop the hook guide tube on to check how long of a tail you can have. If you are going to run hook up, you want to cut your tail just inside of the hook point. If you are going to run it hook down, it can be a little longer.

Step 2. Start your thread in front of the bump for the hook guide.

Step 3. Tie in your zonker strip tail. You can pre-cut these to length based off step 1.

Step 4. Tie in your cross-cut strip that matches your tail color. Cut the tip at an angle, this gives a nice smooth transition when you start wrapping and cuts down on the bulk when tying it in. Wrap the rabbit 2-3 turns, tight. Tie off and cut.

Step 5. Tie in your center color cross-cut strip, repeat the tapper on the cut. Now tie in your UV Polar Chenille, sweep the polar chenille back to line it up with the rabbit hairs. Wrap 2-3 turns, tight and tie off.

Step 6. Tie in your front rabbit strip, repeat the tapper cut. Wrap 2-3 turns and tie. Whip finish, try not to build too big of a head.

Step 7. Slide the cone on to the tube and push back to cover thread. Cut the tube off, leave no more than a 1/8”

Step 8. Using a lighter, hold the blue part of the flame in front of the tube, the tube will start to roll back creating a nice even round bump over the cone. I typically turn the fly around and poke the needle into the hole, making sure it’s open.