Intruder Tube Flies dressed on Stainless Steel Needle Tubes
Intruder flies have for several decades been extremely popular and effective in Chinook and Steelhead fly fishing in the rivers of the Pacific North West. Early versions were mainly dressed on wire shanks or Waddington shanks, with a trailing single hook attached to the shank by means of thread whipping and glue. In more recent years, many anglers have recognised the merits of tubes in the tying of intruder style flies. Indeed, Intruders have found their way from North America to Europe, where they are being increasingly used for Atlantic salmon and sea trout.
The photographs below show more examples of Intruder Tube Flies dressed on slim stainless steel Needle Tubes, 30 – 40mm in length and 1.5mm in diameter, intended for salmon ans sea trout fishing. These tubes are similar in diameter and weight to Waddington shanks. Intruder patterns dressed on wire shanks can be successfully translated and adapted as Intruder Tube Flies. The big advantages in dressing the Intruder Fly on tubes are:
- They are more easily dressed than Waddington Intruders
- The hook is more easily fitted and replaced when damaged
- If using Stainless steel needle tubes, the shiny silver body may be left undressed, making for a very easily tied fly
See also Mini Intruder Tube Flies