Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Fly 12 - Purple Pleasure

Purple Pleasure
5x7, soft pastel


Purple Pleasure is an example of a tube fly.  This version is made by The Canadian Tube Fly Company.  Tube flies are exactly what they sound like, they are tied onto a tube instead of a standard hook shank. Tubes are thicker than a conventional fly, according to The Canandian Tube Fly Company, an attribute many steelhead and salmon fishermen find desirable.  

Hook size and style can vary depending on fishing conditions (regulations permitting) as well as the tube materials (plastic and various types of metal) which allows for greater control over the weight of the fly.

Tube flies have been around for some time, particularly in Europe. It's only recently that they have been successfully fished on the west coast of Alaska, Washington, B.C., and Oregon.  While the Purple Pleasure hasn't yet been tested on steelhead, apparently its been very successful in attracting trout on darker days.

If you tie flies you might want to head on over to the company's website where they go into much greater detail on the benefits of trying out this relatively new and versatile type of fly.    www.canadiantubeflies.com