Dual Tube Phlyz

A new method for tying huge flies for striped bass

By Pete Gray

DualTubeHerringPhlyz... my very own... PharSidePhlyz developed and produced here at Area61! There aren't too many phly guyz in these parts who have opted for this methodology. Clousers, Deep sand eel variations, and Deceivers reign supreme as does sinking and intermediate lines and the soup dejour... they have a place in the big scheme of things!

I'm not a big fan of the standard tubular classics... granted, they serve their purpose and catch picky river preditors... I was more motivated to combine flat wing/deceiver/hollow tie/whatever to my particular tastes and applications and isn't that what innovative tying is all about anyway!?

In an effort to entice larger striped muggers (stripers) during the spring herring run here on Cape Cod when Big Girlz venture back into the shallow estuaries to the herring runs, I started tying 8-12+ inches herring flyz...

	Dual tube system  Martin Joergensen

The junction tube seated at the end of the body tube had the hook running too far back for my liking, so after some R&D at my DynaKing and numerous visits to the fly drowning pool (back porch hot tub) I developed some promising prototypes of my own design and notion.
Larger BigEyed epoxy heads proved effective as did the slightly lighter but esthetically pleasing Jungle Cockeyed versions.

With the incorporation of my tandem junction tube I was able to move the centre of gravity forward for a more natural and enticing appearance and, since the muggers seemed to prefer assaulting head on, my hook up rate improved as well.

	Pete Gray's Squid Tubez  Pete Gray

I don't like using these when the toothy Blues appear out in deeper waters because of the shredding that goes on. Older tired soldiers get sacrificed now and then but the Blues attack from the sides trying to cut the fly in half. Trailer hooks might help but that's not my thing. I like horizontal Stripes best!

I prefer heavier 10-11 weight gear overlined with floating lines. Casts are not long and the drifts are key with the undulating motion of the long hackles that brings out the beast and 6 feet of 20 lbs. flourocarbon simplifies the basic presentation! Tapers are optional and effective for longer casts.

My goal is to "insinuate" movement and mass without trying to throw heavy phur n' pheater look-a-likes. For my efforts, the DualTube is spot on with the hook up front.

Sofarsogood!