Bead Heads

Intro | Thread | Dry-Fly Hackle | Foam | Wet-Fly Hackle Hackle | Plumage | Chenille | Dubbing | Hair | Quills/Biots | Yarn | Plastic | Wire | Dry-fly Wings | Wet-fly Wings | Flash | Beads | Eyes | Rubber | Adhesives | Fur and Fleece | Paint and Markers

An assortment of metal and plastic beads and cones.

Beadhead nymphs have become very popular in recent years. Brass and tungsten beads with gold, silver, copper, and black finishes are available. Counter-sunk beads are much easier to get around the hook bend than beads with a small single-diameter hole. Tungsten beads are about twice as heavy as the brass. The standard sizes for the beads are 5/64" (hooks # 16 and smaller), 3/32" (hooks # 18 - #14), 1/8" (hooks #14 - #10), 5/32" (hooks #8 - #6) and 3/16" (#8 and larger). Bidoz sells 1.5mm beads that will tie flies down to #24. I use the largest bead I can fit on the hook with out blocking the hook gap. Undersized beads can be used in shallow waters.

These flies have become popular on this continent in the last 5-10 years but have been used for much longer in Europe for grayling and trout. Beads add flash and weight to nymphs, while giving a jigging effect.

Almost any nymph can be tied with a bead head. The bead can also be used as a thorax. On large flies like stonefly nymphs, I use two beads for the thorax and one for the head. These flies sink well because of the weight, the fact that metal is more hydrodynamic than dubbing, and they also dive head first into the water.

Coneheads, a bullet shaped bead, are made for big nymphs and streamers. These are also made in brass and tungsten. They are sold in three sizes to accommodate hooks from #10-#1/0 and Spirit River sells two larger sizes for saltwater. I cover them with lure tape to make my Conehead the Barbarian fly. Spirit River sells the new Cross Eye cones and Bestco sells a heavy lead version called JiggyHeads, which have recessed holes for adhesive eyes. Beads and coneheads can be painted with chip-resistant jig paints to make a great-looking Egg Sucking Leech. Spirit River sells beads already painted, called Hot Beads.

Heart beads and flies.

Glass beads have been used for years, but have gained a sudden popularity. They are lighter than metal and come in colors too numerous to mention. They are used as heads, bodies, eyes, and thoraxes.

Plastic beads are used to make egg patterns and Scintilla sells pearl plastic beads for caddis emergers. I use large plastic heart-shaped beads, available at craft stores, as instant epoxy heads. The large hole in the center can be pushed over the eye of flies up to 1/0 in size. Tie the wing or body, put on a drop of glue, push the bead on and stick on adhesive eyes. They are quick and easy to tie. These are my Cardiac series flies.

With any of these beads, they will be easier to get around the hook bend if you crimp the barb. Hooks with round bends are better for bead heads than sharper styles of bends. On small hooks or short-shank hooks be careful not to block the gap.

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