Most Productive Beadhead Pattern

[mic]

Probably a flashback Hare's Ear, size 12 if the water has some color, size 16 if it's really clear. Also like the Pheasant Tail. If the water is pretty murky, I like a size 12 Prince Nymph.

Soft Hackles...I love them, but not beadheads. As for drifting or swinging, I do both on every drift.

Hey Al, I was at the hook section of the fly shop yesterday trying to decide on nymph hooks for this. Do you change from a 1X to a 2X when you add the bead? If you happen to stick with a 1X, what section to you make smaller?

[DaddyO]

Hey Al, I was at the hook section of the fly shop yesterday trying to decide on nymph hooks for this. Do you change from a 1X to a 2X when you add the bead? If you happen to stick with a 1X, what section to you make smaller?

I actually tie almost all of my midges and nymphs on a scud hook of some type. I like the look of it and the fish seem to like it also.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I have some pricey specialty Bead Head hooks.. what a gimmick... they are just 3X shanks with a smaller barb to let the bead slip thru.

I say - crimp the barb and use the bead. A cheapo lead bead, painted or otherwise.

Tungsten is just too costly for my mending tastes.

[mic]

I actually tie almost all of my midges and nymphs on a scud hook of some type. I like the look of it and the fish seem to like it also.

Do you have a pic of your hare and copper?

[stlfisher]

Think I would go with a prince as well.

[mic]

Do you have a pic of your hare and copper?

Nevermind. I tried it on scud hooks. I like. Looks a lot more alive. I hope the fish agree.

[mic]

The 'B H H E S F' or Bead Head Hare's Ear Soft Hackle (any color),

either that or a BHPT, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, or a bead head flymph.

Brian,

I went to start tying the Hare soft hackle...do you tie in a tail? Seen it a couple of different ways.

[mic]

I got some sore thumbs trying to hold hooks and get the bead's around the bend. I've been holding the hook with the point on my thumbnail and using my other hand's fingers and thumb to force the bead around the bend. So far its working (only snapped one hook), but starting to get pretty tender fingers. I have a dozen/fifteen to go. Anybody got a trick to doing this?

[Outside Bend]

Stick the hook in the vise, perpendicular to the jaws, then slip the bead around the bend. Debarbing the hook also helps a great deal, and some hook models just don't lend themselves well to getting a bead around the bend. Some folks sell slotted beads which make the task easier.

[mic]

Stick the hook in the vise, perpendicular to the jaws, then slip the bead around the bend. Debarbing the hook also helps a great deal, and some hook models just don't lend themselves well to getting a bead around the bend. Some folks sell slotted beads which make the task easier.

THANKS...much better.