Tube fly tying / Lefty's Deceiver disaster...

[bluedaksi]

After looking at many patterns online and getting a vice adapter from JStockard.com, I finally made an attempt at tying my first tube fly.

What I thought would be a simple transition from tying onto a hook ended in disaster when I tried to tie a 1/8" tube version of a lefty's deceiver. Much of the problem seemed to come from troubles with the vice adapter. It kept slipping on the vice and the tube kept rolling on the pin. By the time I pinched the tube hard enough that it would not roll, it had scrunched to about 3/4 its original length. I also had difficulty trimming the ends of the materials at the head, and ended up with a massive thread head. Finally, upon removing the abomination from the adapter, the tube was pinched closed shut in a way that it would be impossible to put line through it.

I'm just venting my frustration and wondering how I can correct these problems before my next attempt...

[bigjim5589]

I bought one of those tube fly adapters several years ago, but have not really tied many tube flies. I actually bought it to tie bucktail skirts for Flounder rigs, which are tied on brass rivets, much like tying tube flies. I had a problem with the rivets rolling also. I solved it by using rubber skirt bands, like the type used to make jig skirts on bass jigs. I make lures too, so had some, but they're readily available at places like Jann's Netcraft or Barlow's Tackle, any place that sells lure parts. I prefer the black bands, which are usually made from neoprene tubing. Other colors are available, but are usually made from latex tubing, which will deteriorate eventually. The black ones just last longer.

I placed the rubber skirt band on the adapter then the tube against the band, then another band with a tiny washer, and apply some tension. The tension keeps the tube from rolling, but is not perfect. I can now tie without the whole thing rolling & having to start over!

Sounds like the tubes you're using are too light for what you're attempting to tie. You might consider using a tube with a heavier wall to prevent it from collapsing.

Hope this helps!