Salmon and trout possess highly specialized vision, finely tuned to detect a range of colours…
A smart riffling hitch tube fly tying tool
Before You Start Tying Riffling Hitch Tube Flies: A Handy Tool for the Job
Before you dive into tying riffling hitch tube flies, it’s a good idea to create a specialized tool for poking a hole in the belly of the tube. Below, I’ve shared some images of the tool I’ve designed specifically for this task.
I’ve taped a standard sewing needle to a lighter, allowing me to heat the needle with one hand while keeping the tube steady with the other. This makes the process more efficient and controlled, and I’m sure you’ll find it helpful!
Avoid overheating the needle to the point where it glows red, as this can cause the plastic tube to melt uncontrollably. Instead, heat the needle moderately and carefully create the hole. If necessary, you can always go back and enlarge the hole later.
Once you’re done, quickly remove the needle. This helps clear any excess material that might clog the hole. You may need to repeat this process a few times to achieve a clean, smooth hole.
Riffling Hitch Flies – The European Approach
While Canadian anglers typically tie Riffling Hitch flies using the traditional Portland method with hitched knots and single or double hooks, anglers in the UK and Scandinavia have adopted a unique twist. They use small tube flies with a hole in the body—either on the side or, as seen with our V-FLY, in the center of the belly.
For more details, check out our Riffling Hitch Know-How.
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