Low Water Tube Flies

rod game fish. Red Band Steelhead are renowned for their propensity for rising to flies presented on or near the surface of the river. Anglers commonly use full floating fly lines to catch these fish.  This takes less physical exertion than the sinking tip lines used for steelhead returning to rivers west of the Cascades.  To make things even easier, the flies that Redband Steelhead prefer are size #2, #4 or #6.  These flies average 1" to 1 3/4" long, counting head, body and tail.  They are often dressed fairly sparse.  They are easy to cast.  Today's traditional fly patterns for Redband Steelhead have evolved with the incremental change of millions of man days on the water.  Offered here is a new collection of tube flies that we believe you will find unique in both character and utility.  There are nine fly patterns in this collection.  They are in three sets:  
The first (4) flies are a "Low Water Series".  The next (2) flies are in the "Waking Tube Fly Series".  The last (3) flies are in the "Traditional Proportion Series".  
The "Low Water Series" are on small brass tubes and are dressed sparsely with floss & tinsel bodies. Each has a low dressed wing of fine hair and long, supple, flowing, flash.  The hackle is wispy. The proportions of these flies mimic classic low water configurations proven in the book Greased Line Fishing by Jock Scott.  Each fly can be further tuned by changing sizes and styles of hooks.  A longer shank hook might turn the game against short strikers.  A shorter hook has lighter weight. Hooks with smaller gapes have less water drag than do hooks with  

larger gapes.  A smooth take-off of the fly from the water enables a smoother cast. A small hook will land a large steelhead.  In certain windy conditions a smaller hook might be an advantage in casting and personal safety.