Bead Head Yarn Flies

[Navigator]

Adapted from page 34 (Tackle Crafter - The Bead Egg Yarn Fly - by David Kilhefner) - December 2005 "Salmon, Trout, Steelheader" (Steelhead Collectors Edition 2005)

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Materials.jpg

Kind of hard not to find the time to try something different with all the high water. I thought these would be the perfect thing to try this winter steelhead season.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Bead_Head_Yarn_Fly.jpg

I down sized these considerably from what was suggested in the article. I used a #6 Mustad #9174 glo-bug hooks and 6mm beads from Troutbeads. I had to drill out the beads with a 7/64" bit - which worked, but so-so. (Tip :idea:: I used my needle nose pliers as the mold to hold the bead - just put the bead in the inset at the base of the jaws and held snug while I drilled.) (Tip #2 - I was able to put the bead on over the eye of hook and not have to fight the bend of the hook. When the yarn comes in, the bead becomes snug on the shank and then can be secured with the super glue.) Next time I am going to look for jig beads that are already drilled out. The other trick is matching the amount of yarn that will fit in the bead hole around the hook shank so it can be pulled into the bead. Once that is figured out and the holes drilled - these "tie" up quickly. (Hey - It is called a fly, so it must be so :argue:)

I will let you know how they work when I am out of gear fishing mode - probably around mid-February.

[AndyK]

gear fishing mode ???

:bigshock:

Nice looking egg patterns!

You can easily mount plastic beads on a hook by first heating the hook with a match, alcohol lamp, etc. Don't over heat the hook so you destroy the temper, just enough to melt the plastic. Thread the plastic bead onto the hook while the hook is hot. The only problem with using a match is it deposits soot on the hook that will need to be wiped off.

[Navigator]

Yeah, I am a cross dresser! Can't help it :redface:.

Good tip on mounting beads on hook. With this "pattern" - need to drill the hole or use wider pre-drilled - so the yarn can be pulled in the bead with a mono loop as a threader. (Tip #3 - Don't tie the mono loop - that is no knot behind the loop - rather, just use a long double mono to form the loop. Once the yarn is in the bead, release the loop (so it is just a straight piece of mono and pull it out.)

[AndyK]

Yeah, I am a cross dresser! Can't help it.




Jim,

Don't be tempted by the dark side! The good side is strong in you (you have caught steelhead on a fly). Any fish in Oregon can be caught on a fly (with the possible exception of sturgeon). Give your gear away or have a garage sale.

Okay, I get it on the flies. I might have to weaken and buy a copy of that dark side publication, STS.

BTW, Gizmo Man is also a cross dresser, but I've never seen him catch a fish on a fly.

[SilverFly]

Nice looking flies!

[KillerDave]

Nice job Navigator. I'm glad that article worked for you and like your smaller size, although the #2's have worked very well for me.

A good variation for fly fishing is to figure eight some dumbell eyes behind the eye of the hook, then finish as usual.

[grsteelies]

I made some with chartruese bead and red yarn last month. They drift right close to the bottom and the 1st time out caught 4 fish. I think you found a new friend.

[Stew]

Okay I'll say it :bigshock: Are those really flies? Now before I get lynched let me say that I do not have any problem with guys using those! None whatsoever :shrug: but can you really consider those flies?
Would those be allowed in the Winter Steelhead Challenge? I know this one isn't

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/paintbrush.jpg

[Ryan Pultz]

Why would they not be allowed? they looks like flies to me hey Stew yours looks like a flie to me also rp

[NCL]

I am also curious why both of the patterns are not considered as flies. I can maybe understand the bead fly but why isn't Stew's pattern?

[PTS]

Stews patterns are flies according to the ODFW. BUT, the steelhead challenge rules say that a fly tied on a jig hook doesn't qualify as a fly. It's possible that Andy intended to mean a jig hook with molded lead already on it, but I don't really know.

The beads on the "flies" on this thread are not "tied" on but are glued. I am not sure if that disqualifies them. I would prefer that they be considered ok, but it is not my call. You use glue/cement in "tieing" flies right?

The challenges are for fun. Nit-picking semantics doesn't appeal to me. If someone beats my 34 inch steelhead leading the challenge right now with one of those "yarn flies" it's fine with me.

Phil

[KillerDave]

A little background for a rainy, high water Saturday.

Five or Six years ago, Nick Amato stopped by while I was making some yarn flies with plastic beads. He said “hey those look really cool. Do they work?” and I said yes, the first time I tried one I caught a big silver and everyone I’ve given them too has caught fish using them. He said we should do an article about it. I said we could, but it would be hard to write an entire article around something as simple as the yarn fly that wasn’t mostly B.S. This was before I learned how to do step-by-step macro photos.

The bottom line is these yarn fly thingies work very well for silvers, steelhead and trout. I call them flies because when I’m on the river and show them to someone, they always say “cool yarn fly, I like the bead.”

I would never presume to tell the fly fishing community wether or not this is a real fly. I know it’s very effective, cheap and easy to make. It’s legal on the Deschutes because it has no soft plastic.

I think the reason they work so well is the bead refracts light, meaning it glows, even in deep or slightly off color water. This attracts the fishes attention. The yarn keeps it neutrally boyant for a very natural looking drift just off the bottom. When the fish bites, the yarn sticks to the little velcro teeth so the fish has a hard time spitting it out right away and you can feel the strike.

I like them best in size #1 or #2. When a smaller fly is called for, I go with a standard glo bug. This is just my own personal preference. I think Navigator's smaller version looks awesome.

It’s probably better for drift fishing because if you smack it against a rock while fly casting, you can break the bead and all you’ve got left is a bare hook, so check it regularly. However, since they’re so fast and easy to make this doesn’t really matter all that much. Now that pre-drilled beads are available, if you don’t like to tie flies and want something that’s really easy to make that works, this is a good solution.

[Gizmo Man]

BTW, Gizmo Man is also a cross dresser, but I've never seen him catch a fish on a fly



Yep and proud of it. :smile: :smile: :jester:

Come to think of it Andy, I have not seen you hook a fish on a fly either :smile: :smile: :wink: .

I do have a couple of recent references:

Was with Stoneflyguy on the Cow and took both a nice cutt and sh on a fly.

Was with Stew on the D. and took one skating a muddler.

Lost 2 on the .... on egg patterns.
Witnessed by my dog... :smile: :smile:


As for the reason I think the discussion about whether a fly tied on a jig hook is taking place is because the sh challenge rules exclude fish hooked on a fly tied on a jig hook. Since it is Andy's contest, we should respect his rules.

My comments are to fill in a couple of blanks for you guys and not meant to start any discussion on Andy's contest, so lets drop what constitutes a fly/jig. Thanks

I do, however, use a jig hook with chain bead eyes as a means to get my fly to the fish. I also tie a trailing pattern this fly. I also use one to two corkies as strike indicators and to keep the wt. fly off the bottom.

I found that using jig hooks keep the fly from hanging up on the bottom and allows for a longer drift.


Giz... The forth coming winner of this years sh challenge.

Oh yea, you want to have some real fun, tie a wiggle wart on the end of your fly rod hold on. :smile: :smile: :smile: This should get the purist's blood boiling... :smile: :dance:

:lurk:

[Stew]

:lurk:

[Navigator]

Glad you like them Dave! I am hoping to try them in low, clear water conditions. Could be awhile :crazy:.