I've used both a Homemade device and the HMH Tube fly kit, the kit is easier to use, and they have the Metal tubes as well (brass and aluminum). The only thing I've found that is different is sometimes the top and bottom of the fly gets reversed. Like a clouser with a white bottom and green top, if the tube becomes loose it can rotate and vary the presentation. So far I've had no problems other than with my passive-aggresive eye for the perfect look.
I tied a couple of bass deer hair poppers and sliders on tubing last year and really liked how they worked with the smaller 'circle' hooks used in salt water. I can get cheap tubing from work. Its easy to teach kids to tie these type of fly's because they won't stick themselves....a wooly bugger on this is very easy..... Timbo
