On this special fly tying page on the riffling hitch tube fly we will try to cover some general aspects on RH flies, and also show you how to tie our favourite RH fly the V-FLY Silver tippet
Spellbound by riffling hitch
Riffling hitch anglers benefit from some consistency in the flies ability to stay on the surface – and at the same time we want a fly that looks lively at the end of the leader – so obviously we can’t solely focus on the hitch fly´s ability to stay on the surface – we must compromise.
Fine details could be; make or break, and I could illustrate this by comparing the art of Riffling Hitch fly design with that of building miniature boats or aeroplanes… Make a minor alteration to your design – and it could have a big impact on the ability and potential of your construction…
We can’t solely focus on the hitch fly´s ability to stay on the surface – we must compromise.
In the realm of fishing tackle design, one might liken it to crafting the ideal plug or lure.
Top-tier trolling baits, such as The Apex and Rapala plug, aren’t crafted to move in a singular, predictable manner at all times. They must navigate and adapt within the currents, embodying an element of unpredictability. This unpredictability is a defining trait of superior lures, a characteristic that may also be integrated into specific fly designs, such as Riffling Hitch flies tied on a tube.
To move unpredictably is a hallmark of superior lures
Importance of detail in Riffling Hitch flies
Having tied salmon flies for over 40 years, I’ve learned to meticulously focus on every detail. It’s undeniable that salmon can vary greatly, and not all flies are equally effective. This fact has become glaringly apparent to me over the years, especially while fishing with riffling hitch flies. Those of you who are familiar with this unique form of fly fishing undoubtedly understand what I mean. A single riffling hitch fly can stand out as perfect compared to others that appear identical at first glance.
One specific riffling hitch fly can be particularly good compared to other seemingly identical riffling hitch flies
During a fly-tying session, my usual practice involves replicating the flies that consistently attract fish—a common approach among fly tiers striving for perfection. However, when it comes to riffling hitch flies, achieving that level of perfection is not always straightforward. Through experience, I’ve learned that while some flies excel, others may not prove as effective.
Despite my meticulous attention to detail—meticulously measuring tubing, ensuring proper length, and selecting high-quality materials—I can’t always achieve flawless results. There’s an element of unpredictability involved. I can’t anticipate precisely how the final fly will perform in enticing fish to the surface, or more accurately, how the combination of materials will create subtle movements and appearances that draw fish in.
It may sound like a bunch of hocus-pocus and mumbo jumbo, but the fact is that Atlantic salmon is the final judge, and they seem to pay a lot of attention to details in RH flies – and probably also in many other artificial flies for that matter
Atlantic salmon will be the final judge and they seem to pay a lot of attention to details in RH flies. Riffling hitch is one of the diseplines in salmon fishing where the questions about flies and fishing – expose the fact that we know just about nothing when it comes details in salmon flies.
There’s no middle ground when it comes to tying Riffling Hitch flies on the tube—it’s either success or failure. What distinguishes a highly effective fly from a less effective one isn’t always obvious at first glance, at least not to this fly tier’s eye (:
However, we’ve uncovered some crucial details that will assist you in crafting an outstanding hitch fly.
Unpredictable micro-movements in Riffling Hitch tube flies
Tying the V-FLY
The V-FLY is one of the most simple and yet effective riffling hitch fly patterns you can get. Used by 100´s anglers every season it consistently produces fish on the bank – You will be surprised to see how this seemingly neutral pattern will bring fish to the surface
If you follow our outlining on this specific pattern closely – You will get one of the best salmon Riffling Hitch flies you can carry in your box.
The V-Fly ™ that you find tying instructions for below is cut into proportion to make a fly with all the right abilities.
Hole in the center of the riffling hitch fly - Use fly from both banks
The position of the hole for insertion of the leader makes this fly equally good from both banks. The dimension of the tube causes the Riffling Hitch fly to leave a delicate and highly attractive wake behind.
Construction of the V-shaped wing and the soft squirrel hair will work wonders on difficult fish.
The inner diameter of the tube supports the hook, thus allowing you to leave the hook in your favoured position – Using a single double or treble hook.
The perfect tube! – Low-memory tubing
The tube that we use for our riffling hitch flies is made specifically for this purpose – Produced from a unique compound that gives us a tube that won’t split – but will support your hook (keeping it in place) The tube will eventually fall back into place after you ended fishing and have removed the hook.
Hair from young squirrels works wonders.
Hair from silver tippet squirrel is a unique material to lure salmon, steelhead and other kinds of trout. These hairs can be quite diverse depending on where you cut them on the actual tail, and many different flies, from tiny Smuts to big # 2/0 single hook flies, could essentially come from one single tail – But squirrel tails also differ much in appearance and quality depending upon the age of the squirrel – and hair from young squirrels have the texture and quality that we have found to be prime stuff.
Step by step tying instructions
Tube to use for this Riffling Hitch V-FLY: Fishmadman Riffling Hitch Tube 
Outer diameter 3,2 mm. Inner: 2 mm. Length 12 mm. (0,47 inch)
Fly in the photo has caught more than 20 salmon – Full of teeth marks it is still fully functional.
The position of the hole from the front of the head: 4 mm. Make the hole in the tube with a hot needle. Fix tube to
Fix the tube to the needle. Make sure to put the entrance hole for the leader right opposite the centre of the wing. The tread I use is 12/0
Tie in a little bundle of silver tippet squirrel app. 40 mm. (1,5 inch.)
Buy perfect squirrel tails
Tie in a little bundle of Veniards Crystal flash Pearl Blue. A few strands double the length of the fly – The rest in the same length as the tube.
Buy needle to tie Riffling Hitch flies on
Add cheeks of jungle cock – Whip finish and use a bit of super-glue for the head
Ready spawned Riffling Hitch V-FLY
A special tube fly tying needle for riffling hitch flies
A specially made needle for short tube flies as riffling hitch flies – bottle tubes. Made for our 3.2 mm. Hitch tube with an inside diameter (Ø) of 1.8 & 2.0 mm. The total length is 62 mm.
See this and other three tubes fly tying needles in the Fishmadman shop
Small Youtube film on how we do pixel-heads on our Hitchman flies
What’s here on our Youtube channel
More on Riffling hitch design - Read an into depth story on the art of building riffling hitch tube flies
