Nicholas’ Marabou Steelhead Tube Fly (black/blue/purple)
This is another very effective steelhead fly pattern—tied on a Pro Sportfisher Classic Tube—one that I have caught summer and winter steelhead on. Like Jeff Hickman’s Fish Taco Series, these simple tube flies are not weighted.
Un-weighted tubes will fish the softest water on the inside and at the hang down position, the places where we often get the steelhead’s grab.
Here are the basic ingredients for this pattern
Thread – Veevus 8/0 black
Preferred cement – Brush on Lok Tite
Tube Mandrel – Pro Sportfisher Flexineedle, large
Tube – Pro Sportfisher Classic Tube (med fl. Blue)
Butt – Senyo’s Fusion Dub Pink Lady
Butt Collar – Purple Schlappen
Butt Horns – Blue MFC Premium Plume Ostrich
First Collar – Fish Hunter Marabou Spey Blood Quills, Silver Doctor Blue
Flash – holographic pink #6988 Flashabou
Second Collar – Fish Hunter Marabou Spey Blood Quills, Black
Cone – Pro Sportfisher Metallic Purple Ultrasonic Disc, medium
The hook for this tube fly should be rigged on a loop, with the knot pulled into the rear of the tube. By precise adjustment of the loop size, you will be able to place the hook as close or as far back from the body of the fly as you wish.
I have had fun with this fly — it’s general color cast, size, and materials are all proven to be attractive to summer and winter steelhead.
Jay Nicholas, Autumn 2017
