Post by Charlie Dickson on Dec 14, 2007 15:00:23 GMT -5
Attaching a cone or bead head to a tube fly is a bit different than attaching one to a standard fly. On a standard fly we would slide the cone or bead over the hook point and move it up the hook shank until it butts up to the hook eye, then we would tie the fly behind the cone or bead. Since a tube does not have a hook eye to stop the cone or bead from sliding off the front of it, the process for securing one in place is a bit different. You will need a lighter and I like to use some super glue to complete the task, although the super glue is not completely necessary.
Start by tying the fly on the tube. Leave a portion of the tube extending out past the head of the fly when you tie the fly.
Slide the cone or bead onto the tube, apply some supper glue to the head of the fly (optional) and push it back over the head of the fly.
Cut the tube so there is about an eighth of an inch sticking out past the tip of the cone or bead.
Make sure a mandrill or needle is inserted in the tube and then heat the end of the tube with the lighter until it melts.
The mandrill or needle will keep the tube from sealing up when the plastic melts.
Melt the plastic of the tube back until it forms a small lip in front of the cone or bead. This lip will hold the cone or bead in place.
Start by tying the fly on the tube. Leave a portion of the tube extending out past the head of the fly when you tie the fly.
Slide the cone or bead onto the tube, apply some supper glue to the head of the fly (optional) and push it back over the head of the fly.
Cut the tube so there is about an eighth of an inch sticking out past the tip of the cone or bead.
Make sure a mandrill or needle is inserted in the tube and then heat the end of the tube with the lighter until it melts.
The mandrill or needle will keep the tube from sealing up when the plastic melts.
Melt the plastic of the tube back until it forms a small lip in front of the cone or bead. This lip will hold the cone or bead in place.