The complete system to create Tube Flies, Snake Flies, Spin Flies, Spinners and Flying C’s. Total Flexibility to catch predatory ďŹ sh whatever the light and water conditions
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Tubeology™ System
Welcome to Tubeology™, the complete tube fishing system. No other fishing system is so versatile in creating Tube Flies, Spinner Flies, Flying C’s & Spinner type lures. The story of Tubeology™ began with a very simple and original idea. The goal was to be able to put hotspots and weights onto lures to allow the use of the same tube fly or lure in different environmental conditions. Then followed months of development and testing to bring you the best solution possible – Tubeology™. Tremendous fun was had developing and testing Tubeology™ and catching great fish. It was found, that when a fish takes using Tubeology™, there is less chance of the fish throwing the lure as it can’t be used for leverage to throw the hook! Just one of the many advantages of this system. The journey continued with the development a unique storage system, which has been specifically designed for Tube Flies and tube lures. With the Tubeology™ Storage System your tackle bag will no longer rattle like a scrap yard when you go fishing! With over 1 million permutations of lures from a standard Tubeology™ System and each tube having over 72,000 variations, the possibilities are truly amazing. We hope you have as much fun with Tubeology™ as we have had developing it. Along with the convenience and flexibility that Tubeology™ offers, we hope that you will also catch some magnificent fish. We are always looking for new ideas and feedback. We would also like to receive your Tubeology™ stories and photos, so do drop us a line at www.tubeology.net.
Tight Lines, The Tubeology Team
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Just one tube can create 216 Tube Fly variants 5,544 Tube Spin Fly variants 5,544 Spinner variants 66,528 Flying C variants
Tubeology™ Index
Introduction
6
Tubeology™ System Components
8
Tubeology™ Spinner System Components
9
Tubeology™ Modular System
10
Using Tubeology™
12
Tying Tubeology™ Tube Flies
14
Tubeology™ Tube Flies
15
Tubeology™ Spin Flies
17
Tubeology™ Spinners
18
Tubeology™ Flying C’s / Flying Condoms
19
Spinning
20
Salmon Tube Fly Recommendations
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Introduction
Spinners and Flying C technologies originate from the 1800’s. Historical books and patents show some of these techniques in use from the 1850’s. Tube fishing origins are poorly understood, the first published tube fly reference is reputed to have been in 1932 by Alexander Wanless who saw tube flies as a solution to the loss of an unacceptable number of fly-hooked salmon and wrote “the lure... has a hole through the centre of it so it slips up the line when a fish is being played. This is to prevent the small hook from being levered out of the fish’s mouth by the body of the fly”. Tube fishing is now utilising many of its true capabilities, which are:
Simplifying Tackle Tubes take up little space and that space does not have to cater for sharp hooks which damage lures and everything around them. Indeed you can carry a range of separate hooks in a separate small container and swap hooks from lure to lure.
More Hook-ups Because a hook can be presented at the tail of a lure using stiff hook retaining material, tail bites can be turned into hook-ups.
• A lure can be fished deeper with heavier coneheads as currents or depth changes.
More Fish Landed Fishing with a tube enables greater number of hookups, as the tube slides away from the hook on a take, so the fish has less leverage to throw the hook compared to standard spinners and Flying C’s. Rapid Adjustment for Changing Conditions A single tube can be adapted to situations that would normally require different flies or lures on different size and styles of hooks.
Hint 6
One risk is predators with sharp teeth that may attack lures as they ride up the line. Put a stop knot (an elastic band looped on the leader is sufficient) to stop a lure riding too high in a school of predatory fish such as Tuna or Bluefish.
One Tube Fly can be used with different weight or color heads. The benefits are that:
Longer Lasting Because the tube slides up the line on a take this means there is less damage than with conventional lures on a take. Tube Flies last twice as long on average to a standard fly! Easier Catch and Release Fishing With a deeply hooked fish the lure can be slid up the leader and cut off the hook without further injury to a fish. It is also practical to use hooks that will rapidly corrode in salt or fresh water.
Some rivers restrict the type of hooks either size, barbed or barbless or number of hooks (singles, doubles or trebles). With Tube Systems single, double or treble hooks can be used as per your own preference adhering to all local restrictions. Use the hook you prefer from any manufacturer! We only recommend straight eyed hooks rather than up or down eyed types as they sit better and look more natural.
Hint
Better Baitfish Replication The long thin profile of a tube better replicates baitfish, using wing and body material that flows back to give the appearance of a bulky head and slimmer body. Crucially a longer tube means that there is no need to use large “ironmongery butcher hooks” for your lures.
• Different colored coneheads can be used to trigger attacks based on differing light conditions.
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New components are regularly released. Visit www.tubeology.net for product / component announcements.
Tubeology™ System Components
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Tubeology™ Spinner / Flying C System Components
Coneheads
Heads
Different sizes of Coneheads in various colors
Turbulence Head
Spinners 1. Spinner Attachments
Tubes Different sizes of Tubes, including 21mm, 25mm, 31mm, 38mm and 50mm in a selection of colors
2. Flying C Spinner Stop
3.
4.
1. Hook Retainer and Lumi Tube Hook Retainer - also for snake patterns
Flying C Conversions Silicone tubing in different colors
2. Vice Clamp
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2.
4. Spinner Blades (use your own if required)
Hook Retainer, Liners & Accessories
3. 5g & 10g Inline Weights
1.
3. Spinner Stop
1.
2.
3.
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Tubeology™ Modular System
Key 1. Hook 2. Hook Retainer 3. Tubeology™ Tube 4. Spinner Stop (optional) 5. Spinner Attachment (optional) 6. Spinner Blade (optional)
1
2
4 5 3
7
7. Conehead
6
10
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Using Tubeology™
Tubeology Liners (optional) The Tubeology™ Liners are designed to protect lighter lines when using Tubeology™. It gives added protection against line rub on the Conehead. Simply slide the Liner into the Conehead and through the tube if required. Only put the Liner on when fishing, there is no need to heat these. Feed the Liner through the Conehead first to the tube if used. Hook Retainer The Hook Retainer is a silicone tube designed to hold the hook in place. The Tubeology™ Lumi Tubing (fluorescent) can be used to retain the hook also, which has an added benefit in that it fluoresces/glows in the water if charged by UV light or by sunlight. A long Hook Retainer can be used on larger winged tube flies to avoid tail bites by presenting the hook further down the lure.
Turbulence Heads These allow the creation of additional movement on flies when using materials such as crystal or chenille. Water movement over the body material from flies vibrates due to the turbulence created from the gap between the head and the Spinner Stop. Adjusting Lure Weights As well as swapping between aluminium and brass coneheads of different sizes, Tubeology™ lures can be altered with Inline Weights. These allow you to add 5g or 10g weights (or multiple combinations) to the system. They are usually used with the largest Coneheads as all of the components are the same size. Weight can be added to any of the lures. As the entire system uses the same male / female threads multiple weights can be screwed into each other as required.
Hooks Form a loop with the leader that is larger than the hook. Thread the loop through the eye of the needle and loop over the hook. Tied in this way the hook can be removed and Coneheads interchanged rapidly.
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Hint
For lures over 6g weight we recommend spinning techniques rather than fly fishing although it is really dependent upon the rod, line and leader used.
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Tying Tubeology™ Tube Flies
Tubeology™ Tube Flies
First the good news. There is no need to use a lighter or naked flame to weld the tube flies together! Any Fly Tyer knows that with metal tubes with or without lining – it is possible to run into all kinds of trouble. Normally bare tubes are very unforgiving when it comes to grip, there simply is none! Quite often the only way to hold a metal tube is sheer force. The Tubeology™ system is designed for Fly Tyers with the collar at the front to stop the thread from slipping off the head and to angle the wings. The Tubeology™ Vice Clamp caters for the key requirements for metal Tube Fly tying:
Tube Flies Can be created just using a Tubeology™ Tube and Hook Retainer tied to a favorite pattern. Using Coneheads, different colors can be used to trigger attacks from target species by varying the Conehead colors according to the light conditions using just one fly pattern. Additionally Inline Weights and different size Coneheads can be used to vary the weight allowing the Tube Fly to drop deeper into the water increasing the chances of getting that bite.
• Makes sure the tube does not rotate. • Is sturdy with the ability to hold the tube without wobble in your vice. This enables the tying thread to be pulled without everything giving. • Allows additions on the Hook Retainer to help ensure the correct length hairwing and materials are tied to the fly.
Hint Hint 14
When tying a whip finish, as the head is clamped in the vice, you MUST form a large loop with the fingers and slip this over the fly to tie off. Always tie in a clockwise direction, this ensures that the tube does not turn once tightened in the clamp. Although slower for tying a whip finish, this Vice Clamp stops the tube slipping ever!
Hint
For lures over 6g weight we recommend spinning techniques rather than fly fishing although it is really dependent upon the rod, line and leader used. Snake Tube Flies Can be easily created using Tubeology™. Tie the 20 or 25 mm tubes with Jungle Cock and winging in different patterns (refer to www. tubeology.net for example patterns). Use Tubeology™ Lumi Tube in different lengths to create variants of snake flies of different lengths according to the conditions.
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Tubeology™ Spin Flies
Surface Wake Tubes / Riffle Hitch Tube Flies There is probably no other fresh water fly fishing experience that is more exciting than watching a large Steelhead/Sea-trout or Salmon coming to the surface of a river for a waking fly. A Tubeology™ aluminium Tube Fly can be converted to a surface wake fly by adding an 8 to 12mm length of hook retainer or Tubeology™ fluorescent tubing to the front of the fly, putting a small hole into the front of this tubing. The fly leader needs to come out through the newly created hole in the tube. This will make the fly seek the surface as long as it is under tension against the current.
A Spin Fly is a Tube Fly with the addition of a Spinner Blade making the fly more attractive to the target fish. Spinner Flies can be fished at different depths through the use of additional Inline Weights. You can use any spinner blades either those supplied with Tubeology™ systems or any 3rd party blade with your choice of blade, color and shape. Spin flies can be used with a traditional fly rod to a weight of 6g to 10g normally and are used with a spinning or lure rod for larger Spin Flies. Inline weights can be added if required to make the Spin Fly sink deeper in the water.
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Hint
Any preferred or specific color Spinner Blade can be used with Tubeology™. Multiple inline spinners can also be used – simply use Inline Weights to separate spinners and stop them from tangling with each other on a multiple spinner lure.
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Tubeology™ Spinners
Tubeology™ Flying C’s / Flying Condoms
Designed so that Tubeology™ Spinner Blades or other spinner blades of preference can be added – regardless of size, color and shape.
Flying C’s (also known as Flying Condoms) are frequent catchers of Salmon and saltwater fish imitating Sand Eels and similar bait.
The sizes of Spinner Blades are based on a numerical system starting with 0 or 0/0, the smallest for stream trout spinners, size 3-4-5 for Bass and Pike up to the 7-8 for Muskies and larger saltwater predators.
With Tubeology™ it is possible to make any length of Flying C rather than the normal fixed Flying C’s. This approach has many advantages as any length Flying C body can be created. Simply cut the silicone tube to the required length, from 25mm (1") to 150mm (6") or more! Add in a length of stiff Hook Retainer to maintain the length of the fly when retrieving, stopping compression of the silicone tubing.
The larger the blade size the more water resistance and vibration when compared to the same shape in a smaller version. Vibration can attract fish so be sure to consider this with spinners. With the modular nature of Tubeology™ you can add multiple inline spinner blades to imitate a school of bait-fish by using multiple spinner stops threaded with multiple spinners.
Any length of tubing can be used to create the length of Flying C required. Simply take multiple lengths of silicone tubing and swap them at the water’s edge to vastly reduce the number and weight of lures carried.
Hint
Hint
Any spinner blade can be used on the lure, Tubeology™ supplied spinners are not obligatory.
There are no restrictions with Tubeology™, any 5mm silicone tubing can be used on a Flying C.
Hint
Hint 18
Hooks do not have to be bare, use wool or modern materials to make the spinner even more attractive.
With the Tubeology™ Flying C try different hot spot Coneheads as luminous heads can trigger an attack by target fish. Use different Spinner Blades and Inline Weights to vary the weight and depth at which the Flying C is fished.
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Spinning
Spinners Although Tubeology™ comes with Spinner Blades (in some systems) there is a vast choice of shapes of blades that are available commercially. Speed of retrieve is a major consideration as different blade designs revolve at different speeds i.e. the elongated Willow Leaf requires the most speed to start and maintain the spin. The broader and more circular Colorado blade requires less speed and a slower retrieve to maintain spin. An Indiana blade falls somewhere in between. Vibration is higher with broader blades, less with streamlined blades, but flash depends more on blade size, texture and color, rather than on design.
CAST 3
CAST 2
CAST 1
Hammered Nickel (pock marked) blades have most flash as the dimpling reflects light at more angles than a smooth blade. Painted blades can have more or less flash depending on their color and patterns, but always less flash than silver finished blades under a bright sky. In low light fluorescent colored blades stand out over regular colors or polished metal. Spinning Techniques Spinning technique is the same as fly-fishing. The object most of the time is to cast a lure across the river and bring it round over fish lies at a controlled speed and depth. The only exception is in very low water is where fish are lying close together and a lure is thrown upstream and retrieved quickly across their heads. On a spate stream dropping and clearing after a rise then upstream spinning is recommended. Cast through the river starting at the near bank and retrieve at not too high ground speed, then cast further out and repeat. Once the river is covered, move upstream and restart, covering the entire pool.
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POSITION 1
POSITION 2
Spinner Type
Running Depth
Rotation Water Vibration (degrees) resistance sound
Sound Visibility frequency from side
Visibility front/back
Colorado
Shallow
60°
High
High
Low
Poor
Good
Indiana
Medium
45°
Medium
Medium
Medium
Fair
Fair
Willowleaf
Deep
30°
Low
Fast
High
Good
Poor
French
Shallow
60°
Low
Low/Med
Medium
Fair
Fair
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Salmon Tube Fly Recommendations
Our recommendations for fishing with Tubeology™ Spin Flies for Salmon are shown in the table below. As the water temperature rises you tend to decrease the size of Tubeology™ lures and of the hooks.
Tube Fly Length (mm)
Treble Hook Size
Leader Breaking Strain (lb)
Leader Breaking Strain (kg)
Suggested Fishing Depth
°C
°F
1-5
34 - 41
55
6
12
5.4
Deep
3-7
37 - 45
45
6
10
4.5
Mid - Bottom
5-9
41 - 48
35
8
10
4.5
Mid - Bottom
7-9
45 - 52
30
8
8
3.6
Mid - Bottom
Hook size
Water Temperature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
4
8
12
16 8 - 12
46 - 51
25
10
8
3.6
Mid - Top
12+
51+
25
12+
8
3.6
Mid - Top
Colors • Early season is a time for flies colored with more green or green flashes such as Stoats Tail Green Butt. • As summer arrives then yellow flies such as Ally’s Cascade and Allys Yellow Shrimp come into their own. • Autumn sees more movement towards reds and purple in the feathers of your flies, try Ally’s Red, Francis Red and Ally’s Purple Shrimp.
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Hook Sizes • In early and late season the waters are usually running higher and deeper. Larger fish can be seen and often there are more aggressive takes, demanding larger hooks. These fish are often stimulated by larger lures also so in early and late season use size 4 and 6 size hooks. • Summer sees waters lower and Salmon are often stimulated by smaller flies, even on large rivers fish will be taking flies as small as sizes 14 and 16.
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Fishing With Tubeology™ Lures
Shallow Water Fishing Hold rod low as line drag is less likely in slower/shallow water. If spinning in any form Colorado or French blade should typically be used on your spinner as these are shallower water blades.
Rod held low
Deep Water or Fast Water Fishing Hold your rod high, more line is lifted from the water which reduces drag. When spinning use a Willow Leaf or Indiana shaped blade for mid depth to deeper water penetration.
Rod held high
Using Tubeology™ Tube Flies on the Dropper Angling with 2 flies on the same cast is common on many rivers and lakes. The Tubeology™ Tube Flies offer a variation on this theme. A way to add a second fly is to join a 10-pound section to a 12-pound leader section with a blood knot and leave the tag end of the 12-pound section about 18" (46cm) long for a dropper. The final length of the dropper will be 4" to 5" (10cm to 13cm) when the fly is tied on to it. The fly swings free on the end of the dropper and rarely tangles.
A Tube Fly can be tied on in same way. It can also be attached either on the tippet and / or dropper through the head end of the tube. The Tube Fly now runs in perfect alignment with the point fly, which can be another Tube Fly or conventional fly.
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Hint
The only word of caution is, if fly fishing, ensure that flies are not ‘over-weighted’ if fishing with say 2 brass 50mm tube flies with 2 large brass Coneheads. Remember the line is meant to cast the fly, not the fly cast the line!
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Tubeology™ System Component Weights
Component
Hint 26
Brass Weight (gm)
Aluminium Weight (gm)
Extra Small Baby Conehead 5 x 5
-
0.1
Small Baby Conehead 6 x 5
-
0.2
Baby Conehead 8 x 5
-
0.3
Small Conehead
1.4
0.5
Medium Conehead
2.4
0.8
Large Conehead
5.0
1.8
Turbulence Head
3.8
-
Screw Tube 3.5×20
0.8
0.3
Screw Tube 3.5×25
1.1
0.4
Screw Tube 3.5×31
1.5
0.5
Screw Tube 3.5×38
1.9
0.6
Screw Tube 3.5×50
2.5
0.9
Spinner Attachment
1.2
-
Large Inline Weight
5.0
-
Small Inline Weight
10.0
-
Spinner Stop 1 (Flying C’s)
1.9
-
Spinner Stop 2 (Spinner / Spin Fly)
1.7
-
Care must be taken when casting with Tubeology™. ANY lure or fly can break a rod if it hits it at the wrong angle. Tubeology Ltd accepts no liability for using Tubeology™ and causing damage or injury to equipment or people, in any way.
Tubeology™ Worldwide Trademark of Tubeology™ Limited. Registered in England
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Patent Pending: 0908278.5